Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
FAME EMS Chief Patrick Shoop and paramedic Matt Evans accepted a proclamation designating May 17-23 as EMS Week from Derry Township Supervisors on Monday.

LEWISTOWN — Derry Township supervisors recognized Emergency Medical Services Week during their mid-month meeting Monday, honoring FAME EMS personnel and hearing updates on new cardiac monitoring equipment now in use across the agency’s ambulance fleet.

FAME Chief Patrick Shoop and paramedic Matt Evans accepted a proclamation designating May 17-23 as EMS Week. Shoop thanked supervisors for their continued support and used the opportunity to demonstrate how municipal funding is being used to improve emergency medical care.

Shoop said FAME’s top priority is improving cardiac and stroke care outcomes. He and Evans showcased the agency’s new Zoll X-Series Advanced cardiac monitors, which provide paramedics with enhanced clinical feedback during cardiac arrests, traumatic brain injuries and respiratory distress incidents.

Shoop said the agency’s previous monitors were approximately 12 years old.

Evans demonstrated the upgraded system for supervisors and said the technology will significantly improve patient care and success rates in the field.

According to Shoop, the new monitors represent the most modern systems currently available. He said funding collected through municipal mileage support allowed FAME to equip all nine of its ambulances with the upgraded equipment.

Shoop said the project represented an investment of about $350,000, though the agency received trade-in credit for its older monitors.

“We’re ahead of the curve. This is going to be the new standard,” Evans said.

In other business, supervisors supported Township Manager Kelly Shutes and park manager Josh Garver setting an opening weekend for the new Kish Park miniature golf course.

Weather permitting, the course is expected to open Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, with grand opening hours scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m.

Officials noted that while the course itself is complete and ready for play, additional decorative features will continue to be installed over time.

According to Garver, new additions and improvements could continue to be added monthly or annually.

Admission prices will be $8 for ages 12 and older, $5 for children ages 5-12 and free for children younger than 5.

Carol Kearney-High, Community Development Block Grant administrator, also attended the meeting seeking approval of a 2024 budget revision certification related to two previously funded projects — Yeagertown Area Road Reconstruction Phase One and scatter-site roof replacements through the Mifflin County Housing Authority.

Kearney-High said the housing authority project came in under budget after four approved sites were completed, leaving remaining funds available for reallocation. While the money could not be used for Phase One of the Yeagertown road project, she recommended applying the remaining balance toward Phase Two.

Supervisors approved creating a line item in the 2024 contract to transfer $3,720 toward Yeagertown Area Road Reconstruction Phase Two.

Jim Zubler also attended the meeting regarding a resolution supporting Downtown Lewistown Inc. with an annual pledge of $2,500 from 2026 through 2030, totaling $12,500.

“This supports our designation, whether it’s Enterprise Zone or Main Street matters, which are extremely important to leverage state dollars for local projects,” Zubler said.

Supervisors approved the request.

Supervisors also approved a temporary no-parking request for both sides of Sixth Street from Electric Avenue to Mifflin County High School during graduation ceremonies scheduled for May 29, with a rain date of May 30.

Additional actions included:

-Approval of Pay Application No. 4 to Harris Golf in the amount of $149,980;

-Approval of a request to install a Blind Person Area sign on Laurel Street. Shutes said a concerned mother raised safety concerns about motorists using the dead-end street to turn around;

-Approval to exonerate Bret Treaster from collecting $485 in per capita taxes.