Heidelberg Township supervisors have voted for a 5-percent health insurance premium copay for township employees.

After crunching numbers and discussing options, the board decided it was necessary to impose the copay as a result of the increasing cost of employee-sponsored health insurance.

The biweekly cost of the 5 percent contribution equates to $18 for a single person and $42 for a couple per paycheck.

According to Administrator/Secretary-Treasurer Janice Meyers, the township pays $22,000 per year for a couple, and a total of $73,600 per year in health care premiums.

Supervisor David Fink commented on the issue.

[Unfortunately due to costs] individuals need to take responsibility for their health care,” Fink said. “They can’t just ride on the back of taxpayers.”

Supervisors Chairman Steve Bachman said nearly all employers, with maybe the exception of school districts, require employees to pay a portion of their premiums.

Initially the board contemplated a 10-percent rate, but Bachman interjected saying he was more comfortable with the smaller amount of 5 percent for this year with the option to re-evaluate the amount in subsequent years.

“How much does that actually add up to,” resident Carl Breininger asked.

The annual amount for a couple would be $1,092.

Road Superintendent Kevin Huber asked whether any of the other townships in the multi-municipal cooperation, which includes Heidelberg, Lowhill, Washington, Lynn and North Whitehall, were asking for similar contributions from employees.

Meyers said she was uncertain, but noted Heidelberg is in its last year of a contract with Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust.

Solicitor Charles Waters suggested shopping around for health in surance options for 2017 and beyond.

After approval of the minutes from the Dec. 17, 2015, and Jan. 4 meetings, monthly reports were requested.

No reports were given from the director of operations, parks and recreation or public works.

Randy Metzger gave the Goodwill Fire Company No. 1 report.

Paul McAdams is remaining as president, he told the board, and the fire company finished QRS or quick response service medical certification. Trucks and equipment were also certified.

“Right now, we have nine guys who are in emergency medical responder class at the station along with a bunch of guys from New Tripoli. It is a 2-1/2 month class,” said Metzger, who reported there have been seven calls thus far this year.

Huber reported tree trimming and pipe cleaning continues and the trucks are ready for winter weather.

In other matters, a new employee handbook was distributed to supervisors for review and approval at next month’s meeting.

The new handbook, typed in a Word document by Dawn Didra, will be easier to revise if necessary.