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Wilkes-Barre police officer Shane Yelland promoted to detective

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Ex-fire chief John Yuknavich out of prison, subject to home confinement

BEAR CREEK TWP. &#8212; Finding a way to better serve residents was on the minds of Bear Creek Township supervisors at their August meeting Monday.The fact that all five supervisors have other full-time jobs coupled with the recent resignation of the township zoning officer led the supervisors to consider the difficulty residents might have getting answers to questions and concerns.Supervisor Jeff Popple suggested hiring a part-time township manager/zoning officer to assist residents and coordinate with the supervisors. Other supervisors suggested adding roadmaster duties and having the person&#8217;s responsibilities include regularly driving a township vehicle to provide a clear presence and be a recognizable liaison between township management and residents.It was agreed that the supervisors would provide input to Smith, who would draft a job description for review in preparation for advertising the position. The supervisors noted the position could be at least partially covered by unused budgeted funds set aside for a third road crew member and a part-time office manager.The supervisors also heard from Joe Vinton, representing the Bear Creek Preserve. Vinton asked the township to provide a letter supporting the preserve&#8217;s attempt to seek funding to purchase an additional 162 acres off White Haven Road to be added to the 3,412 acres now in the preserve.It was noted the purchase would take the property off the tax rolls, a move that will cost the township a little over $400 annually. It was pointed out the move will cost the county and the Wilkes-Barre School District several thousand dollars each in lost tax revenue. The county has already agreed to the purchase, which did not require review of the school district, according to Vinton. The supervisors agreed to support the purchase.One resident raised concerns about the lack of preserved land available to those with mobility issues since motorized vehicles, including everything from ATVs to motorized wheelchairs, are not allowed on most preserved land. Vinton agreed to talk to the resident and others with similar concerns to see if there are ways they may be accommodated.In other business, the supervisors:&#8226; Approved the expenditure of up to $175,000 for a new Freightliner plow truck from Eck&#8217;s Freightliner&#8226; Agreed the township is not responsible for replacing drainage pipes that run through township right of ways under residents&#8217; driveways&#8226; Agreed to contract with J. H. Williams Co. of Kingston for three years of audits of the township, fire company and ambulance company at a cost of $9,500 for the first year, $9,800 for the second year and $10,000 for the third year.&#8226; Heard from the handler of Jersey, a rescue dog available through Luzerne County&#8217;s 911 office and certified to find lost people&#8226; Accepted the donation of an AED automatic defibrillator device from the Bear Creek Foundation&#8226; Addressed a resident&#8217;s concern about accusations he is building without a permit by instructing the solicitor to review documentation provided by the resident that indicates the permit he obtained a few years ago was automatically extended and covers the construction.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Janine UngvarskyTimes Leader Correspondent</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.</shirttailMeta></div>

Bear Creek Township supervisors grapple with staffing issues