40¢
70th Year, Issue No. 51 USPS 248-700
DECEMBER 22-28, 2011 A General Circulation Newspaper Serving The Community Since 1942
SERVING BATH, CHAPMAN, NORTHAMPTON, NAZARETH BOROS; ALLEN, E. ALLEN, MOORE, LEHIGH, BUSHKILL, LOWER NAZARETH & UPPER NAZARETH TWPS.
Merry Christmas!
Lehigh Supervisors approve 2012 budget at $1,254,815 By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
STAINED GLASS WINDOW gives view of the Saviour’s birth, the true meaning of Christmas.
Dropping off letters to Santa
Lehigh Township’s Board of Supervisors approved a budget of $1,254,815 on Tuesday, Dec. 13 by a 3-2 vote, but not before there was some discussion on portions of it. Sandra Hopkins and Keith Hantz opposed, while Daryl Snover, Dell Grove and Brian Moser okayed it. Real Estate taxes will remain at 4.68 mills, unchanged. Supervisor Hopkins, in looking over the vehicle inventory, said there are two that are well under mileage, and wanted more mileage on them before getting another vehicle at $31,000. Snover was concerned about gas consumption of the older vehicles. Mrs. Hopkins also mentioned about street sweeping in the budget, noting that it is done primarily at intersections and cul-de-sacs. She said that service should be cut back to where it’s necessary. Another thing she
said should be in the budget is $12,000 for summer help and small cut-backs for the Northampton Area Public Library and Lehigh Township Historical Society, both of which she said she loves. Hantz disagreed with the latter cuts. It was noted that line items can’t be changed more than 25%, nor the aggregate of a category by 10% once the budget is advertised for adoption. However, the board can amend the budget after 90 days into the new year. An item of $10,000 in the budget for donations is not sent until the end of the year. Other Matters • Extensions of time were granted for the Kenneth Walter two-lot minor subdivision until April 30, 2012 and the Northwoods major subdivision until June 30, 2012. • Engineer Philip Malitsch said a time table for the capital improvements plan should Continued on page 25
Two women conspire to Burglarize Bath man’s home
Samantha Lee Allen, 21, of Fourth St., Bethlehem has been charged by police with conspiracy of criminal trespass to break into a structure, conspiracy of burglary, conspiracy of theft by unlawful taking of movable property and receiving stolen property. The charges stem from a burglary at the home of her father, Michael Allen Sr. in the 200 block of Race St., Bath, on Nov. 11.
She allegedly had Stephanie Jenkins burglarize her father’s home because she was upset with him. Ms. Jenkins took $2,600 in cash and old coins from Allen’s safe, police said. Ms. Allen is free on $7,500 unsecured bail. Her release conditions include pre-trial supervision and random drug testing and alcohol screening. No charges have been listed as yet for Ms. Jenkins.
Sacred Heart students are all smiles after mailing their letters to Santa. (See Letters to Santa starting on Page 20) – Home News photo
MEMBERS OF NORTHAMPTON COUNCIL who are leaving received their name plates from Council president John Yurish (center) on Thursday. At left is eight-year Councilman Joseph Leitgeb, Jr. and at right is one-term member Mike Bernini. Both received congratulations for their service to the Borough of Northampton. (Story on Page 15) – Home News photo