By Eileen Godin

egodin@timesleader.com

LEHMAN TWP. — The township’s new 24-hour police force responded to 205 complaints in February, Chief Howard Kocher said at Monday’s supervisor meeting.

The Back Mountain community implemented a third police shift in January to provide round-the-clock service to residents. The township previously relied on Pennsylvania State Police for coverage during off hours.

Lehman Township Police have answered numerous calls in February that ranged from 12 suspicious vehicles, 26 emergency services assists, 10 disable vehicles in traffic and 55 traffic stops, to name a few.

“This is the most calls our department ever received in February,” Kocher said. “It is due to the third shift.”

In other news, longtime resident and township employee Barbara Simms was honored for nearly 60 years of service to the township.

Simms, now in her 80s, was asked to attend the meeting to help the supervisors “find something,” said David Sutton, supervisor chairperson of Lehman Township.

Using a cane, Simms carefully walked to the front of the room and accepted a plaque from the township supervisors and a certificate of recognition presented by Tom Yoniski, a casework manager and Western District field representative from state Sen. Lisa Baker’s office.

“Your commitment to public service is commendable,” Yoniski said. “You have a stellar record of achievement.”

Simms, holding a tissue, was surprised and emotionally touched by the recognition presented to her.

“Thank you, thank you all my friends,” she said.

Simms started working with the township in 1955, due to a request from Lou Ide.

“He asked me to come in and sign off on some zoning permits,” Simms said.

At the time, she was an auditor who worked with Lake-Lehman School District.

“I worked for the school district in the morning and with the township in the afternoon,” she said.

Last August, a medical condition forced her to step down from her position with the township.

“I do miss it (working for the township),” she said.

The next Lehman Township Supervisors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 25 in the municipal building.

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.