A month ago, when local man Richard Gilbert received medical aid from two teens, he said he wanted to meet them. On Monday, Gilbert and his family got the chance.

Foster Township officials recognized Wyatt Bond and Brayden Frair, students at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School, at Monday’s township supervisors meeting.

Foster Township Police Chief Tom Munn said the certificates were being awarded by the police department and the board of supervisors for “exemplary conduct by a citizen.”

The praise stems from an incident on May 4 when Wyatt Bond and Brayden Frair sought medical treatment for Richard Gilbert, who had fallen and was badly injured.

Munn explained Gilbert had a “pretty nasty fall” at Foster Creek near Babcock and Boser roads, suffering injuries including several broken bones and a laceration to his head. Wyatt and Brayden put pressure on his laceration and called for help.

“These are a couple of great boys,” said Gilbert, thanking them for their service.

His son, Michael Paul Gilbert, added, “If it was not for them, my father would not be here today.”

During the public discussion portion of the meeting, residents brought up problems including stray cats, code enforcement and an upcoming water project.

Township resident Brian Yohe had health concerns about feral cats living in the area of 1294 E. Main St. He believes they are there because a resident is feeding them.

“I know you’re trying, and I know there’s more important problems,” Yohe said to the supervisors, but he added, “There is a very real problem.”

Supervisor Chairman George Hocker explained there are no state laws that allow the township officials the ability to handle the problem themselves.

It was mentioned that the McKean County SPCA was unable to take the cats, and someone suggested that No Feline Left Behind be contacted.

No Feline Left Behind is a local non-profit group that helps to lessen issues related to stray cats through actions such as having local cats fixed and vaccinated.

Another resident, John Mascioni, asked about the status of the code enforcement department in the township.

Code enforcement officer Bob Baker announced his resignation May 20 because he was bothered at Hocker’s endorsement of District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer, who was campaigning to keep her seat as district attorney.

Hocker agreed there is no longer a township code enforcement officer. He said residents can report code enforcement concerns by calling him directly or by calling the township.

Regarding the Hocker’s backing of Shaffer, Mascioni said he took offense to Hocker speaking as township supervisor chairman.

“I think that was a big mistake,” said Mascioni.

Hocker explained that while he personally supports Shaffer, he did not mean to indicate that he represented the whole township in that support. He noted that when he realized how the first statement he released looked, he went to The Era to clarify his intention. An article clarifying his endorsement ran in the May 21 edition.

“I personally endorse her, not as a township, not as a supervisor,” he reiterated on Monday.

After the public discussion, supervisors passed a motion accepting Baker’s resignation. They also passed a motion to advertise for and look for a new code enforcement officer prior to their July meeting.

At the end of the meeting, Hocker said to Baker, “Bob, I’d like to personally thank you for your service and what you did for us. It was a big help.”

Before the end of the public discussion, resident Tom Hughes asked about plans for water service to be offered on parts of Bolivar Drive.

Bradford City Water Authority Executive Director Steve Disney reported in October that the authority planned to obtain funding for water main extensions in the lower area of Kenmar Acres to include part of Bolivar Drive, Downing Drive, Clark Drive, Lambert Drive and Long Lane.

Hughes wondered when and how the project would be happening and what the estimated cost would be.

Hocker wasn’t sure about the details but said he believes residents would be responsible for the tap-in fee and contractor cost.

Hughes also asked about a neighbor’s tree that had limbs growing over his garage.

Hocker explained there is not much the township can do if it’s not located in the township’s right-of-way, but he suggested Hughes first talk to his neighbor to try to work it out.

In other news, Hocker let the group know there are still township residents who need to hook up to the sewer collection system operated by the Bradford Sanitary Authority. This applies to any of the residents who were told they needed to connect after sewer line extensions were built near their homes in the past few years.

Hocker said Todd Fantaskey, sewage enforcement officer, will be sending letters to residents explaining what the state requires, and he will be going around to talk to people who have not connected yet.

When Mascioni wondered if people might be asked to leave their homes if they were not connected, Hocker explained that Fantaskey had been good about working with people who show they are taking steps to comply with the state’s requirements.

The township will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. June 20 regarding the new zoning map on which township officials have been working.

In response to concerns Hocker has heard from people who believe the rezoning project will cause their property taxes to increase, he said that is not true. He explained the zoning boundaries are not related to how property taxes are determined.

“Rezoning is going to strengthen your township so you can grow better in the future,” he said.