Reward fund to be established in Hegins Twp.

Hegins Township Supervisors have received two anonymous donations to set up a reward fund in an attempt to lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the arsons that the area has been experiencing.
At Monday evening’s meeting, Chairman of the board Lyle Clark said the supervisors are interested in setting up a reward fund, however the supervisors are legally not able to be the one’s in control of the account. The supervisors need to seek individuals or an organization to put their name on the account. A public official can’t administer the account.
Township Solicitor David Rattigan said the township could work with the Schuylkill County Crimestoppers. Since they are already established and have guidelines.
“I believe we would have more response to this if we kept it local,” said Clark. “We will seek volunteers to administer the account.”
Once there is someone to administer the account, a committee will need to be formed in order to set up guidelines and policies to determine how rewards are given and what constitutes a reward. Clark said any member of the community would be able to make a donation to the reward fund.
“This would be a great time for more people to volunteer to serve on the Hegins Township Crime Watch,” said Hegins Twp. Police Chief Steve Lohr. “So far there are only six individuals interested and one of them is a supervisor. We could really use some more volunteers. We need everyone’s help to be vigilant and report any kind of suspicious activity. Don’t be afraid to call and give information. Any little tip will help. We need to catch the person or persons responsible for these crimes.”
Anyone interested in getting involved with crime watch should contact the township office at 570-682-3133.
Clark said the township supervisors have given Chief Lohr the go ahead to use all the man hours he needs to solve this case. They want Lohr to be the chief investigator.
In other business, since so many residents have been attending the township meetings, the supervisors are going to be moving the location of the next two meetings. For the month of March and April, the meetings will either be held at the Valley View Fire Company or the Hegins Area Ambulance building. Secretary Vicki Harman said as soon as a place is determined it will be advertised and posted on the door of the township meeting room so the public will know where the meeting will be held.
Windmills
Hegins Township resident Mike Begis presented a model ordinance to the township supervisors regarding windmills.
“I’m asking this township to adopt an ordinance that will put provisions against windmills that will protect the community,” said Begis. “We need to do this now before the company comes in with their plans because then it’s too late. This needs to be done now. I don’t know that the ordinance will prohibit them from being built, but it can have provisions such as safety issues, etc.”
Supervisor Chad Richards explained to Begis that if the state and federal government say windmills can be built on property, there is nothing the township supervisors can do.
“We need to find out what the state and federal regulations are on these windmills before we adopt an ordinance,” said Richards. “We can adopt an ordinance, but the state and federal laws will supersede anything the township has.”
Former supervisor Mark Zerbe expressed again that he would like to see a referendum on the ballot concerning the windmills.
“This should be something that we all have a say in, not just the supervisors,” said Zerbe.
Solicitor Rattigan explained that a referendum can’t create a law. He said he doesn’t believe the township can have a referendum, but said he would look into it. The supervisors also asked him to investigate the possibility of an ordinance in the township concerning windmills.
“This company is getting government subsidies to come in here and put up these windmills at the taxpayers expense,” said Ralph Lucht, a Hegins Township resident. “We are getting conned with this windmill job. Think very carefully before you move ahead in favor of them. The electricity is going to be shipped out of the area and this township will be part of the con.”
Both Begis and Lucht said they would be willing to pay for the advertising cost that would be incurred to adopt an ordinance regarding the windmills.
Snow fence
The supervisors have finally gotten rid of the snow fencing that was put out on bid twice. Maurer Excavating was the only bidder for the snow fence. The supervisors awarded the bid to them for $5 per roll. Maurer Excavating said if the township ever finds themselves in need of the fencing they are more than willing to borrow it any time.
Fire police
Last month it was reported the Hegins Township Fire Police were feeling intimidated. This month problems have been ironed out. Everyone is back on speaking terms and handshakes were exchanged. The fire police and the supervisors plan to sit down and discuss any problems and work through situations.
Stray dogs
Recently the township has been receiving lost dogs. The township supervisors encourage anyone who has lost a dog to check with the township office first. Many times dogs are brought to the township office and they are placed in the kennel for two or three days while their owners are sought and then taken to the SPCA.
“These dogs come in with collars but not tags or anything,” said Craig Coleman, road foreman. “We know they belong to someone when they have a collar on, but with no identification we have no idea who their owners are.”

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