Residents who want Wehr's Dam to be saved brought a surprise guest to the Aug. 6 commissioners' meeting.

Bob Schantz, whose ancestors in the Guth family were early settlers in the township, stepped forward to provide historical details about the dam built in 1904.

Then, he opened an old, square suitcase and lifted out Lee, a puppet resembling a real, live groundhog.

Schantz said the annual Groundhog Day festivities attract around 200 spectators to the dam at Covered Bridge Park.

On Feb. 2, Lee and Yahdee, another groundhog replica, are pulled down the Jordan Creek on a raft or sled before making their weather forecast for the start of spring.

Groundhog Lee wants Wehr's Dam to remain intact, Schantz said.

William H. Wehr, whose grandfather ran a gristmill at the dam, alluded to the historic resources zoning ordinance amendment adopted in July.

"You are in a position to designate Wehr's Dam as a historic structure," Wehr said. "We hope the township will take the responsibility of saving Wehr's Dam. It's not on private land. It's in your park."

Ron Turner, 2530 Wehr Mill Road, told the board he and his wife, Celie, have enjoyed meeting the fishermen and visitors who come to the dam for recreation.

"The thought of losing the dam is distressing to us and our neighbors," Turner said.

Commissioner Dale Daubert said he was impressed by the dedicated people who joined together to request something they really believe in.

"We owe it to the residents who came here and to all the residents of South Whitehall to have an evaluation of what is necessary to repair and keep the dam at Wehr's Mill," Daubert said.

Board President Christina "Tori" Morgan agreed with Daubert's recommendation.

"Let's look at all aspects of the dam, including the costs of preservation and maintenance," Morgan said. "Let's look at all sides of this so we can make an educated decision."

Director of Public Works Bob Ibach reported the engineering firm, KCI Technologies will be conducting a study of Wehr's Dam funded by grant money obtained by the Wildlands Conservancy.

Township Manager Jon Hammer stated the purpose of the Wildlands Conservancy project is to study the feasibility of removing the dam.

"If saving it is part of the equation, that's what we'll add to it after tonight's discussion," Hammer said.

Following the regular meeting, the board adjourned for a private executive session, citing personnel reasons.