Brian Maso

The board discussed several items including the Oley Valley Road bridge replacement project scheduled for 2027, the approval of a PennDOT multimodel grant for street improvements, and the adoption of the Luzerne County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Additionally, the board approved an ordinance concerning collections on delinquent accounts, multiple repository sales of vacant lots, a temporary street light tax amendment for 2026, and a disaster declaration for winter storm Fern. Legal updates were provided regarding a draft data center ordinance, and public comments were received concerning road crew performance and data center zoning.

The meeting focused on Foster Township's need to develop a new comprehensive plan, addressing the lack of high-speed internet access. Discussions included the importance of internet access for various aspects of life, the need for a telecommunications engineer to assist in negotiations with internet providers, and the creation of a survey to gather data on current internet usage. Future plans involved monthly meetings, the establishment of a study committee, key person interviews, and a community survey to gather additional input. The Schuylkill County Airport and businesses in the Highridge Industrial Park were identified as potential areas for high-speed internet expansion.