Heidelberg supervisors voted at their January meeting to repair Rex Road Bridge, and to close it only temporarily for construction.

Resident input had been sought as to the possibility of permanently closing the bridge.

No residents, however, appeared in favor of this, and several spoke against it at the December 2012 meeting.

The question of yard waste disposal was also taken up again at this meeting. The board voted not to contract with Washington Township for sharing of yard waste collection at this time.

This had been a contentious issue at the December 2012 meeting, when some residents objected to the township's lack of yard waste collection since the county closed its facility in 2011.

However, it was pointed out at that meeting that only a small number of residents would use it, and Stone Haven Supply in Orefield accepts yard waste free of charge.

The board agreed the Heidelberg, Lowhill, Lynn and Weisenberg Council of Governments should pursue a Community Revitalization Grant for the purchase of a new road roller for the four townships.

This would be a matching grant, with one-half the amount paid with funds in the COG account.

Roadmaster Kevin Huber said the township still needs a heavier roller for its dirt and gravel roads, but the one the COG is planning to purchase would be good for paving roads.

Huber told The Press Heidelberg will need at least a 10-ton roller to replace the one the township presently has, which is nearing the end of its useful life.

The four townships, however. can also benefit from a second, three-ton roller so two townships can do paving work at the same time.

The regular meeting was preceded by the board's annual reorganization meeting during which Supervisor Steve Bachman was elected chairman and David Fink was named vice chairman, reversing their roles over the last several years.

All other key positions remained the same. Employees will receive pay raises averaging 3 percent.