Heidelberg Township supervisors asked for a moment of silence for resident Mark Hoffner, who died Feb. 17, in his home.

The husband of Karen S. (Croteau) Hoffner, he was the son of the late Claude E. and Dolores A. (Herman) Hoffner.

He owned and operated H&H Fabrication since 1997.

Hoffner was a member of Heidelberg Lutheran Church, the Heidelberg Game Association and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

At their Feb. 20 meeting, supervisors also called for the sixth in a series of executive sessions resulting in the hiring of Tara Jones.

Supervisor Chair Steve Bachman said the executive sessions were about employee issues that began with 50 applications for the position of assistant secretary and zoning office secretary. The 50 were narrowed down to the best one.

Supervisor Rodney Schlauch, as director of office operations, said Jones will earn $13 per hour with a raise to $13.50, after a satisfactory review.

She will work three days a week.

Supervisor Dave Fink, representing the Emergency Management Services Steering Committee, said the insurance company will have a free training session about workmen's compensation for volunteer firefighters.

The fire companies' focus at this time is recruiting new members.

"The companies will hold firefighter games again at Night in the Country and they hope it will help with recruiting," Fink said.

A letter was sent to residents and 30 people checked off their willingness to volunteer at the fire company.

There will be a meeting for potential volunteers March 3 so they can find out what is involved as a volunteer.

The fire company is also discussing having weekly line dances.

Fink also said the Germansville Fire Company uses 33 gallons of heating oil a day when the weather is like this winter.

Township Administrator, Secretary/Treasurer Janice Meyers' pay was set at $47,500 after her performance review, said Schlauch.

Her interim appointments as administrator and secretary-treasurer were made permanent.

Fink, wearing his director of public works hat, said they were on pins and needles trying to buy more salt before they finally obtained four loads..

Roadmaster Kevin Huber told Fink the road crew was spending its time plowing snow.

The township received a letter of thanks from a resident for the road crews' efforts keeping the roads clear.

In other matters, due to redistricting, Heidelberg residents will be part of state Sen. Pat Browne's 16th Senatorial District for the 2014 primary and general election.

A room in the township building was requested to help residents fill out tax rebate forms on April 8.

Engineer Ryan Christman will start obtaining approval for work on two bridges through the Conservation District.

The check for the Tiger Mower was in hand and was given to supervisors as soon as they approved a resolution for the loan.

The loan is from The Neffs National Bank for $113,073, at a rate of 2.44 percent for five years, which can be paid off earlier.

The parking ordinance for Heidelberg Heights will cover abandoned or semi-abandoned vehicles. PennDOT will help identify owners.

Supervisors tabled the ordinance until it can be further discussed with PennDOT.

A letter sent to the Northwestern Lehigh School District by the township regarding recycling did not receive a reply.

Fink said the township should obtain a record of recycling pickups.

Resident Charlie Perich asked if the concern was for all schools or only the high and middle schools, which are in Heidelberg, which requires recycling.

The roller purchase will be rebid as no bids were received. If that happens again, Meyers was authorized to continue to repeat the process.

The township must be part of the 2013 Lehigh Valley Hazard Mitigation Plan, as approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be eligible for funding.

Phyllis Breininger attended the county tax collection committee meeting.

She said Berkheimer will continue to collect taxes with a rate dropping from 1.55 percent to 1.35 then to 1.37 for 2015 and 1.39 for 2016-17.

Breininger said cash will not be accepted for the taxes.