Lake Harmony Fire Chief Ralph Lennon asked the Kidder Township supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday for support to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.

Lennon suggested that garbage fees be waived for volunteers and a $250 earned income tax deduction become available as an incentive.

He also noted that he has reached out to homeowner associations and ask that fees be waived for volunteer firefighters.

“The bottom line is we need to recruit and retain volunteers. If we lose them, the thought of paying would blow you out of the water,” Lennon said. “Hopefully, the supervisors support this request as it is best for everyone involved.”

Also at the meeting, Jim Curtis, from the White Haven Center, and John Marotta asked the board for a letter of support to the governors to use the Whitehaven Center for homeless veterans.

“We need stronger support from every township, every borough,” Marotta said.

Curtis added, “We have to go further than saying ‘Thank you for your service.’ This building has everything we need.”

Other business

Extension requests were approved for Maison Lodging/Camptel Poconos until Feb. 25, 2025, and Lakeshore development until Dec. 16, 2026.

The lot improvement subdivision plan for the Harding lot was given conditional approval.

The Kidder Township Police Department made a request for Class A dress uniforms for their 10 officers. The uniforms will cost about $1,000 per officer and were approved using American Rescue Plan funds.

In old business, the following items were handled. They include:

• Service agreement for the 2024 audit by Kirk, Suma and Co. was ratified.

• The Lake Harmony Watershed Preservation Group donation request was tabled.

• Brior Environmental’s request for a well isolation distance exemption for 63 Tallwood Drive was approved.

• As Jim Smith will be resigning from the planning commission at the end of the year, new members are needed.

• Township Manager Suzanne Brooks told the supervisors they received a letter of thanks from the Albrightsville Fire Company for money from the American Rescue Plan Funds to purchase a washer and dryer and other needed items.

• The proposed 2025 budget was approved and Brooks said notice will go in the newspaper on Nov. 27 and on the township’s website and Facebook page.