Last week’s committee meeting left residents unsatisfied

Contract negotiation is still underway regarding the Tabernacle Rescue Squad.

Tabernacle residents and Tabernacle Rescue Squad members returned to Town Hall at last week’s committee meeting to find out if a contract had been negotiated.

At the October meeting, an ordinance was introduced to repeal a previous ordinance that states “Tabernacle Rescue Squad, Inc. is hereby designated, endorsed and authorized as the official emergency medical and rescue service for the Township of Tabernacle.”

This raised concerns for TRS members and residents alike, leaving them wondering if the ordinance passes, will the squad be able to continue to serve the community?

The October meeting concluded with the committee tabling the ordinance until the next meeting, allowing TRS and the township an opportunity to meet to negotiate a contract.

Public Safety Director Arch Liston was to meet with the TRS and its attorney to work out an agreement, which they would provide to township solicitor Peter Lange to review, get approved by the committee and then finalized.

However, they were not able to negotiate a contract by this meeting, leaving the committee to table to ordinance once again.

Aside from squad concerns, township administrator Doug Cramer introduced plans to replace the gazebo next to Town Hall and the Annex building.

The cedar wood structure is more than 20 years old and suffers from termite damage, and although Cramer said it lasted very well over the time it’s been in place, other materials were discussed for the new structure.

Cramer’s plans were for an all-steel structure on a flat concrete slab. The flat area would remove any steps up into the gazebo, making it handicap accessible.

He said he looked into steel as a material for the structure because it needs to be strong enough to withstand the wind load and can be anchored by footings.

Engineer Dan Guzzi said there is significantly more wind load in an open structure compared to a closed structure, because the wind forces the structure upward.

The price of the gazebo is $20,456, the concrete work would be completed by a local contractor and public works would be assembling it.

Deputy Mayor Stephen Lee asked if other materials were looked into in comparison to the steel structure. Cramer said he did not get the price on a laminated wood structure, but he would for the next meeting.

“There are materials other than steel to look at, we haven’t looked at anything else. I think it’s irresponsible not to look at something else,” Lee said. “A steel gazebo doesn’t sound very inviting to me.”

Committeewoman Kim Brown agreed it does not sound inviting, and asked for images to accompany how the structures would look with both materials.

In other news:

• The public was invited to join the annual Tree Lighting event outside of Town Hall on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. There will be musical entertainment from local schools, crafts and games for kids and refreshments available.

The next meeting will be held on Dec. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.