Planning ahead for the inevitable winter weather, Walker Township Supervisors discussed the need for plow drivers.

Currently, only the roadmaster, Chad Felty, has a Commercial Driver’s License needed to drive the plows.

County solicitor Chris Riedlinger shared information about a new piece of legislation to help municipalities with this problem.

“A new act was just passed by the Legislature,” Riedlinger read, “signed by the governor Nov. 25, 2020, called ‘Act 131 of 2020.’ The Act allows an individual without a CDL, employed by the township, to operate a snowplow for the purpose of plowing, sanding or salting; provided the driver is at least 18 years of age, that the normal equipped CDL operator is unable to operate the vehicle or the township determines that a snow or ice emergency exists that requires additional assistance, and that the driver possesses a certificate of authorization from the chairman of the board that he carries in the vehicle with him, signed by the chairman, and citing Act 131 of 2020 authorizing the named driver to operate the vehicle.”

Riedlinger recommended two motions; one to add this item to the agenda, and then a second motion to allow non-CDL drivers to operate plows for snow and/or ice removal in the event that CDL drivers are not available to operate the plows during a storm, as indicated in Act 131.

Walker Township is also looking for people to help plow snow during the winter.

Those interested can call the township office at 570-668-4603.