At the Feb. 8 East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting, board members voted to accept a budget proposal from the East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department to address recruitment and retention of firefighters.

“No other community has done this,” township Manager Brent Green said.

East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department, like many volunteer fire departments, is struggling to have ample firefighters on its roster. The approved plan is designed to improve recruitment and retain firefighters.

The budget includes $58,500 for the fire department to provide incentives for firefighters and recruitment efforts to increase the firefighter roster. The plan approves funding and also establishes an oversight board to monitor the spending of funds and other recruitment and retention ideas and plans.

Board Chairman Roger Unangst will serve on the oversight board, representing the supervisors.

The board also approved the purchase of a 2024 GMC 3500 pickup truck for $59,190. The truck will be an emergency rapid response vehicle for the fire department. It will be owned by the township and leased to the fire department. The fire department will be responsible for the upkeep and care of the truck.

Additionally, the board approved the purchase of a fire suppression system, at a cost of $17,300, that will be installed on the GMC 3500 rapid response pickup truck. The suppression system, as part of the new truck, could potentially control a fire in its early stages before it gets out of hand.

In other business, the board approved resolution 7, reaffirming the minor subdivision plan revision for the Moyer subdivision. Resolution 8 was approved, which authorizes the execution of the component one sewage facilities planning module for the Moyer subdivision.

Resolution 9 was approved, authorizing the Sunny Slope Crossings major subdivision and land development plan.

Resolution 10 was also approved for the execution of the component one sewage facilities planning module for the Pine Oak minor subdivision.

All resolutions are available for public review by contacting or visiting the township office.

The board considered the request for a zoning text/map amendment for the Traditions of America property along Locust Road and Bath Pike. The developer tentatively plans to build 600 homes with 350 age-restricted and 250 non-age-restricted units. The property can hold about 1,000 homes. It is expected a hearing might be held next month regarding the request.

The board approved the request authorizing getting bids for materials for the replacement of Bicentennial Park pavilion C.