Heidelberg Supervisors' Chairman Steve Bachman announced at the board's Nov. 20 meeting, Northwestern Ambulance Corps will be closing its doors in February 2015, due to lack of funding.

Struggling in recent years to get into the black, volunteers for Northwestern Ambulance Corps have been trying to raise vital funds to keep the corps afloat.

Executive Director Kathy Van Allen said she and volunteers for the corps have been writing and addressing donation mailers, organizing fund-raisers, and trying to increase awareness of the corps' crucial role in the community, since last July.

Initiated by the Junior Order of United American Mechanics of New Tripoli, local organizations including Germansville's Central Grange 1650, New Tripoli Plaza Shell Station, and Nestlé Waters North America made donations, bringing in $7,000 to help the ambulance corps reach its goal of $100,000.

Weisenberg Township supervisors' decision to switch to Cetronia Ambulance Services, left Northestern Ambulance Corps with a projected decrease in funding.

Bachman said Heidelebrg residents will have to get emergency services from Cetronia Ambulance or Northern Valley EMS (NOVA) in North Whitehall.

News of the closure caused an eruption of questions from the residents attending the meeting, including money they just spent for an annual membership to the corps and the difference in response time in the event of an emergency.

Wayne Frey of Germansville, a lifetime member of Northwestern Ambulance Corps, asked supervisors if Cetronia or NOVA EMS is going to honor his membership.

Bachman said supervisors want to arrange a meeting for residents, Northwestern Ambulance, Cetronia Ambulance and NOVA EMS to ask questions.

"I have been doing this a long time," said Mark Smith, a part-time parametic for Northwestern Ambulance Corps. "It is going to be difficult to match the level of service within the time frame.

"We are going to have to be creative in how we go from here."

In other matters, members of Goodwill Fire Company, Germansville, reported they need letters of support to apply for a grant to replace a 23-year-old Quint fire truck. The cost is $600,000.

Supervisors asked Roadmaster Kevin Huber to look into the placement of a pedestrian crosswalk area for Northwest Road.

Bachman said there have been a number of "close calls" involving students crossing the area of road between Northwestern Lehigh High School and Northwestern Recreation Commission Community Park.

Huber told the board the snowplows are in bad shape from last winter and all of the salt spreaders have some sort of mechanical problem.

He said results of the speed study on Hunters Hill Road should be completed by next month.

So far, the study conducted by PennDOT's Local Technical Assistance Program revealed the average speed in the targeted area is 38-45 mph.

Huber asked supervisors if he could list some items in the garage, including an air compressor, chain hoist, and dirt roller designed for deep compaction, on an auction website.

Bachman agreed there is no sense in having the unwanted items just sitting around and made a motion to grant Huber permission to compile a list of items to sell.

Huber concluded by saying the road department will be crack sealing, tree trimming and preparing for winter.

Township Administrator Janice Meyers brought to the board's attention there is a bill in the state House to amend Title 65 dealing with executive sessions.

According to information provided by the House co-sponsorship memoranda, the legislation would include the following changes:

·Any matter as it pertains to a specific individual prospective, current or former employee when it relates to employment, appointment, termination of employment, terms and conditions of employment, performance evaluations, promotions and disciplining.

·To review and discuss plans related to security and emergency preparedness.

·Provides an entire executive session shall be recorded and maintained for one year.

·Having the agency consult with a solicitor or legal counsel on the subject prior to holding the executive session.

·Gives any member of the agency immunity from criminal liability if the member makes a good faith report of a violation of the law.

The board held its second and final budget meeting to tie up any loose ends Nov. 20. Supervisor David Fink made a motion to approve the proposed 2015 budget.

Bachman seconded the motion.