Lowhill Township's January meeting began with an announcement that George "Buddy" Wessner, owner of Stone Haven Supply and Wessner's Excavating, will fill the vacancy left by the passing of longtime chairman Eugene Weiner.

Wessner, a Lowhill Township native, formerly served on the zoning hearing board.

Chairman Richard Hughes said Sterling Raber, an alternate on the zoning board, will replace Wessner, and a new alternate is now needed.

Also at this meeting, Ryan Christman of Keystone Consulting reported repairs to Narris Road are complete.

Hughes asked if everything was completed satisfactorily.

"No residents are here to complain," Hughes said, answering his own question. "That's a good sign."

The meeting was sparsely attended, with only the road crew and a few residents in the audience.

Hughes also asked if the paperwork was done properly so the cost for the repairs would be reimbursed.

He explained that it was being paid for with federal funds because of the storm.

Secretary Jill Seymour replied she is working directly with a representative from Federal Emergency Management Agency, so the work would be done properly and there would be no issues.

Road Supervisor Carl Kressley said the only issue was the blacktop, for which the final coat has not been applied.

Christman said there is an escrow account to take care of that.

Hughes then raised the topic of a new road roller being sought by Lowhill, Weisenberg, Heidelberg and Lynn townships.

He said Township Administrator Brian Carl had brought to the board's attention a community revitalization grant that might be used to help pay for the roller.

He asked the board if Kressley should be authorized to begin working on a grant application.

Kressley said a matching grant would provide up to $7,500 per township.

With each of the four townships contributing another $7,500, a total of $60,000 could be raised to pay for the new roller.

He said the four road supervisors had met that afternoon to discuss the proposed purchase.

Kressley said this amount should be sufficient.

Noting the townships already have one road roller, Hughes asked if there might be another item needed.

He asked if there had been times when more than one of the townships needed the roller at the same time.

Kressley answered in the affirmative.

However, the existing road roller is in poor condition and can no longer be repaired adequately.

The board agreed to ask Kressley to pursue the grant.

In other business, the board discussed renewal of a contract for Frank Caruso as webmaster.

Hughes said he charged $500 for his work last year, a rate which he called "very reasonable."

He asked that Caruso be contacted as to his rates for 2013.

Weisenberg Lowhill Historical Society was given permission to meet at the township building Jan. 22 and March 26.