The Douglass Township board of supervisors held their second monthly meeting on Monday night. The board took a few minutes to acknowledge Officer Greg Sedgwick for his service.

            Sedgwick was injured in the line of duty at an incident that occurred a few months ago in New Hanover Township. He has been off duty recovering and recently came back on patrol. In warm unison, the entire board and staff thanked him for his service and stated how thankful they are he recovered from his injuries.

            "Thank you for your support," said Sedgwick, who also thanked the entire community for backing him though his recovery.

            According to police Chief Barry Templin, his department has been approved to purchase Axon Body Cameras. They have budgeted $20,000 for the devices.

            Treasurer Cindy O'Donnell explained that the cameras can be purchased at the upfront cost or paid over 60 months at no interest. She explained that the first three years will come out of the American Rescue Plan Funds. The final two years of payments will be paid with rescue funds or out of the township's general funds account. The entire package deal includes the cameras, docking stations and cloud storage.

            "Axon is the leader in Body Cameras," Chairman Joshua Stouch said.

            "Major force in the industry," Templin said.

            Authorization, with the Township Treasurer's financial suggestions, was unanimously approved by the board.

            A tax collection resolution, included as part of O'Donnell's report, was presented to the board for review. Act 57 is a waiver of late fee penalties to first year residents who failed to receive a bill. If new residents can prove they were not provided a tax occupancy bill, fees will be waived. The tax collection resolution must be approved between now and Jan. 9, 2023. The township solicitor's office will be reviewing the draft in order for it to be voted on at a future meeting.

            In other news, the Emergency Medical Service Appropriation Tax came up for board review. The Emergency Services Board will be discussing the topic in depth at future meetings. The objective is to find financial support for medical services in the area.

            Andrew Duncan, the township's emergency medical services manager, explained to the board and residents that this is a multi-faceted issue.  "No wrongdoing or spending by the township," he said.

            Duncan explained that is a national problem that was brought on by the novel corona virus pandemic. However, the issue has been brewing for years.

            According to Duncan, the state's failure to legislate funding for Emergency Medical Services pushed the responsibility onto municipalities. As the financial system is set up currently, it's unable to sustain services, equipment, supplies and properly trained staff.

            Local fundraising is not a sustainable way to finance these lifesaving services. It would cost the township approximately $1 million annually to fund Emergency Medical Services if it can't be sustained on its own. These services are an obligation to residents. The township is diligently working on the issue.

            Future discussions will be scheduled to elicit ideas and solutions to revive the Emergency Medical Services. The issue is in the process of going through legal review at the solicitor's office. The topic will be discussed at the budget meeting next week, and future EMS and board of supervisors meetings.

            "This board has really stepped up to the plate," Duncan said.