A Tough Mudder competion is being planned for June 1 and 2, in both Lowhill and Heidelberg townships, Lowhill Administrator Brian Carl said at the March 7 board meeting.

The event, a 10- to 12-mile obstacle course originally designed by British Special Forces, is expected to bring 17,000 visitors on June 1, and several thousand again on June 2.

The site of the event is Jaindl Farms, 5585 Mulberry Drive, Heidelberg Township.

Carl said the groups will be arriving at different times, not all at once.

"Is there anything we need to know about so we can be prepared?" Chairman Richard Hughes asked.

Carl said they would be building temporary structures and driveways, and would need to apply for change of use permits, although zoning allows this use for the affected properties.

Hughes predicted there would be people parking on residents' lawns.

"Will they donate any money to the fire companies or the ambulance company?" Hughes asked, saying the township would be spending tax dollars to provide emergency services. "Where does the money go?"

Carl said the promoters donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, but they also make some money from the events.

He said Heidelberg staff would be providing Lowhill with further information on the event, as it will be located mainly in Heidelberg.

The meeting also included lengthy discussion of a maintenance plan for the new traffic light, as well as billing issues regarding fire and ambulance calls.

Roadmaster Carl Kressley obtained quotes for traffic light maintenance. Discussion revolved around a proposal from Charles Higgins for a yearly contract with a fee of $230.

"Will this cover whatever they do?" Supervisor Buddy Wessner asked, adding there was an hourly rate sheet attached. "What does $230 get us?"

Township Secretary Jill Seymour said it was just for preventive maintenance.

"Is the $230 just to secure the contract?" Hughes asked.

"It's to drive by and look at it," Wessner said.

Kressley said the other quote under consideration had a lower yearly fee, but the hourly rates were quite a bit higher, in the range of $70 to $150 per hour.

He said that the overtime was almost $20 an hour more.

Township Solicitor Keith Strohl suggested guidelines be provided for bid packages so bids could be more easily compared. Bidders could be asked to indicate their prices for each type of service, he said.

Hughes asked Township Engineer Ryan Christman to look at the bids and make a recommendation. Christman said the light might carry a one-year warranty from Penn DOT.

Hughes said bills were submitted for payment of five fire calls by the Schnecksville Fire Company and 11 calls by Germansville, at $500 each.

Wessner asked if the fire companies did not bill the recipient of the service.

"Even though they get paid, do we have to pay?" he asked, noting he had been billed for a call from Germansville some years ago.

Hughes replied some of the companies billed recipients and some did not. An ordinance is required to permit this, he said. Strohl said Heidelberg has such an ordinance. Some recipients, or their insurance companies, fight it and will not pay, while others do, he said, adding there are questions about the legality involved.

Hughes said Heidelberg has its own fire company, while Lowhill does not. He also said he would not want to bill taxpayers, only nonresidents.

Carl said the township is working on an ordinance defining what a fire company could or could not bill for.

The board voted to pay for the fire calls submitted by both companies. A $500 donation to Northwestern Ambulance was also approved.

Township Auditor Carol Dorsch said the 2011 audit was completed and submitted to the state, and that 2012 needed only to be reviewed by Co-Auditor Stacey Schappell.

Dorsch just learned she and Schappell would need to be elected to serve after 2013, when their terms expire. Dorsch and Schappell were appointed by the board after volunteering to fill the vacant positions last year.

Wessner pointed out the deadline for candidates to enter the primary would be the following Tuesday. Candidates need to collect the required number of signatures by then to be on the ballot; otherwise they can only run as a write-in.

"You'd better get cracking right away," Hughes said. "We don't want to lose you."

Hughes requested a date be set for a five-year check of township roads.

This will take place at 7 a.m. April 13, beginning at the maintenance building. Township personnel will drive over the roads and residents may follow in their own cars.