EXETER TWP., Pa. – A Civilian Service Award was presented by Police Chief Stephen Powell to Ivan K. Towels in recognition of his actions during a structure fire in Exeter Township on July 5, 2026.

The award was presented to Towels at Monday night’s meeting of the Exeter Township Board of Supervisors.

Powell said Towels was walking his dog when he saw heavy smoke coming from a house in the 1100 block of Fox Run.

“He secured his dog and ran toward the house before first responders arrived,” Powell noted.

“He found two people trapped on the second floor. He urged them to escape through an upstairs window and stood below to help them as they jumped. He helped to break their falls and reduce the chance of injury,” Powell added.

“Despite the obvious dangers of the fire, Mr. Towels risked his own safety to help two strangers in their time of need,” said Powell.

Towel’s efforts were also recognized by Fire Chief Christopher Jordan, who presented Towels with two fire department Challenge Coins for his efforts. Jordan also presented an Emergency Services Center Update to the supervisors and reported that the Center’s address had been assigned as 70 Gibraltar Road.

In addition, he reported that the front-end specifications draft is being completed, logistics and phasing plans are being completed, finishing selections are being done, and site clearing work is being done by the township.

Zoning/ Planning

Township engineer Joe Rogosky, of Great Valley Consultants,  updated the supervisors on the status of the Green Light- Go grant. He said that the state had approved $116,886 and the township would supply 20%, or $29,220, towards the upgrade or replacement of seven traffic lights at key intersections.

A motion to authorize the Board of Supervisors to execute Resolution No. 2026-30, memorializing the Board’s adoption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan developed in cooperation with Amity Township, Douglass Township (Berks County), and St. Lawrence Borough on July 27, 2026, was approved by the supervisors.

The Plan serves as the Township’s official long-range planning document and provides guidance for future land use, transportation, housing, economic development, parks and recreation, public facilities, and environmental stewardship.

Resolution No. 2026-31, Approving the Highland Court Preliminary Land Development Plan, was tabled to be returned to the Engineering department.

The applicant has submitted a Preliminary Land Development Plan for the proposed development. The plan proposes the subdivision of approximately 10 acres of land within the Golf Course Estates development into seven (7) residential lots for the construction of new single-family homes.

This application is currently in the preliminary approval stage. Approval of the Preliminary Land Development Plan authorizes the applicant to proceed with the preparation and submission of a Final Land Development Plan, which will be subject to additional Township review and approval prior to the commencement of development.

The Exeter Township Planning Commission reviewed the Preliminary Land Development Plan at its July 2026 meeting and recommended approval.

Public Works

The supervisors authorized the township to release Police Vehicle 25-07 (2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, VIN #1GNSKLED7RR321257) to the insurance carrier for the purpose of securing the settlement amount of $53,627 and to avoid retention of a totaled asset.

The police vehicle, a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, was recently involved in an accident where it was rear-ended by a truck while parked alongside the road and has been determined by the township’s insurance carrier to be a total loss.

The insurance carrier has provided the Township with two settlement options: release the vehicle to the insurance company and receive an insurance settlement of $53,627, representing the vehicle’s appraised value of $54,627, less the Township’s $1,000 deductible, or retain the vehicle and receive a reduced settlement of $26,352.27 while retaining possession of the totaled vehicle.