Jackson Township receives LUCAS devices for Myerstown First Aid Unit

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors authorized the signing of a bill of sale to transfer ownership of new CPR equipment to the Myerstown First Aid Unit at its March 2 meeting.

Chairman Thomas Houtz said the township applied for a Local Share Account (LSA) grant for the Myerstown First Aid Unit in 2024, but the completion of the process was slowed due to the state shutdown in 2025. 

The township received $62,924 through the LSA grant to purchase LUCAS (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System) devices that can perform automated CPR on individuals experiencing cardiac arrest.

Additionally on March 2, resident Mark Payonk asked during public comment if the board has connected with the Lebanon Humane Society regarding an email he sent in December about working on a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program with the shelter or meeting with local TNR groups to come up with a viable solution. 

Houtz said he has not been in contact with them but would be willing to reach out. Payonk said his own TNR program has spayed and neutered almost 60 cats this year. He expressed appreciation to those who support his TNR group’s apple dumpling and whoopie pie fundraisers.

In other news, supervisors:

• Awarded a paving contract to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., on a bid of $459,030.75. Five bids were received for the work, which will apply to South Fairlane, West Washington, and West McKinley avenues, and Creamery Street.
• Discussed the possibility of condemning the residential properties at 50 Martin Road and 425 W. Main Ave. recently affected by separate fires. Keystone Fire Company representatives said both properties will be labeled at their station as dangerous in case crew members would be called to the scene of either site in the future.
• Tabled discussion regarding the employee handbook’s on-call payment policies. Currently, if a township employee is called into work they receive a minimum of one hour of pay at their overtime pay rate, even if the work is completed in less than one hour. “It would be my recommendation that we bump that up to two or three hours in addition to whatever time they already logged,” said Houtz. 
• Heard from Lebanon city resident Tyler Duvall during public comment requesting sponsorship for an America250 parade planned for July 3 in Jonestown. 
• Approved a request to waive the fee for ELCO Baseball Boosters to use a park pavilion for a registration event.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next on Monday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. at 60 N. Ramona Road. The public is invited to attend.