Chief Josh Borowski of the Hereford Fire Company informed the Hereford Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night that state police assistance can take up to two hours to respond when the fire company is called to an accident. 

            Recently, the fire company was called to assist with an accident involving a truck.  It took 45 minutes for the state police to arrive at the scene which necessitated volunteer firefighters to remain at the accident.  It took another 45 minutes for a tow truck to arrive.  When the tow truck eventually arrived it was unable to tow the vehicle.

            The state police then wanted the volunteers to remain at the scene to keep the road closed, despite the fact the truck was off the road.  The entire incident took over two hours.  Borowski worried he will not be able to request firemen to assist at an incident when it takes so much time for the state police to respond. 

            Borowski noted that he was informed there is only one state trooper for the entirety of Berks County.  He intends to seek assistance from State Senator Tracy Pennycuick and State Representative Maloney.  He hopes for a meeting with the state police as well. 

            Most rural townships rely on state police coverage because local police forces are expensive.  As a rule, the tax base to support a police force is not in place for local coverage.  The Hereford Fire Company is an all-volunteer organization that responds to fires and vehicle accidents. The firefighters and fire police officers donate their time for no compensation to assist their neighbors. The fire company also assists EMS with medical emergencies when requested.

            The board of supervisors took no position on a zoning hearing concerning a variance for a shed.  The supervisors noted the zoning board is a separate entity and makes its own decisions related to zoning appeals.

            In other news, the supervisors decided to wait until the next township meeting before deciding which of two printers would create the township newsletter.

            There was no meeting of the emergency management committee, nor of the recreation committee this month.