ATLAS - There may be a few extra police officers patrolling the streets of Mount Carmel Township this summer, if things continue the way they are.
At Wednesday's meeting of the Mount Carmel Township Board of Supervisors, supervisor Joseph Zanella addressed the increasing number of calls on the monthly police report.
"We may have to think about using our part-time officers more, up to 20 hours a week," Zanella said. "With summer coming up, it's something to think about."
Township Police Chief Brian Hollenbush said officers will also be preoccupied in other matters, since the Northumberland County Commissioners voted Tuesday to not use state constable officers to transport prisoners to and from hearings, and to make cuts in the sheriff's office.
"This is going to cause a major issue with all municipalities," Hollenbush said, "not only for the extra expense, but it takes an officer out of the township when he should be patrolling the streets."
"We want our officers patrolling here, not driving elsewhere," board member Charles Gasperetti said.
In other business, the board reminded residents that code enforcement officer Don Geary will check all lawns for overgrown grass. According to township code, all grass must be cut to under six inches high.
Hollenbush also reported that directional parking on township streets is now in effect.
Supervisors voted to amend its utility and sanitation ordinance, establishing a 30 percent penalty to be added to any delinquent municipal utility and sanitation fees that remain unpaid and must be referred for collection. The township's peddler and solicitation ordinance was also amended at Wednesday's meeting, raising permit fees to $240 annually or $130 bi-annually.
The board also approved motions to donate $25 to both the Mount Carmel Area Public Library and the Relay for Life event.
Zanella and Gasperetti voted yes on all the motions, and board chairman Reynold Scicchitano was absent.