40¢
71st Year, Issue No. 8 USPS 248-700
FEBRUARY 23-29, 2012 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.
Study of Indians
Northampton agrees to land exchange, Paving way for new middle school By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
5th graders Alex Wachholz, Mary Bostian, and Arianna Basile of Sacred Heart School in Bath teach third graders Cailey Spanitz and Logan Caplette about the Native American Indians they researched. (Story on page 4) – Contributed photo
Lehigh Township may sell Land to interested person
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Last month, the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors discussed possibly selling about three-quarters of an acre of land that it owns at Maple Drive and Creek Road. This past Tuesday, Feb. 14, the issue was carried further when it was agreed that an appraisal of land, which is mostly wooded, is needed before they can offer it up for bids. There has been interest by one individual in acquiring the land, for it is adjacent to his property. Last month, it was noted one and possibly two appraisals might be necessary, depending on what the amount is seen for value of the land. But on Tuesday, a resident said that he feels an appraisal would cost more than what the property is worth. An-
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other resident suggested it would be easier, and cheaper, to have a desktop computer appraisal. The board agreed that they will go that route. The land in question was purchased in 1997. Township Manager Alice Rehrig said on Jan. 10 that the land may have come from a donation because the property owner who had it wasn’t able to get a percolation test, and just wanted to get rid of the land. Other Matters • Engineer Phillip Malitsch said the board should have an update done on the township’s Capital Improvements Plan, determining what properties are being developed, land use, and roadways. He said depending on the economy as it is, they may want to revise the plan. • The supervisors accepted the resignation of Police Chief Jeffrey R. Schuster, who intends to retire in May. The board will be guided by the Chiefs of Police Association as they determine who, when and how to hire a replacement. • A resident said some wells in the township may be contaminated with e-coli bac-
After discussions among the officials, Northampton Borough Council on Thursday approved a motion by Councilman Edward Pany that allows for an exchange of property that will be needed by the Northampton Area School District to construct a new middle school. Pany’s motion, which was seconded, was that “Borough Council agrees to quit claim approximately 2.24 acres of its land contiguous to the [present] middle school and receive approximately 10,000 square feet from the school district, conditioned upon both parties entering into an agreement acceptable to both parties.” All except Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski, Sr. approved the motion. Borough Solicitor William McCarthy first reviewed terms of the agreement, noting its benefits to the borough. It would relocate the basketball court; people can use the school district basketball court when not in use by the students; the sewer pump station will be upgraded; Stadium Drive re-aligned, and grading along the property lines would receive plantings. Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski, Jr. conferred with engineer Chris Haller, for the school district, on where the relocated basketball court should be. If the project isn’t done in five years, the property would revert back to the borough. The school district has until the end of September to get planning commission
approval, but there is an automatic extension of 120 days if not done by then. McCarthy recommended that Council approve the agreement expeditiously so that the school district can move forward with its middle school plans. Remarks Before Vote But then Lopsonzski, Sr. interjected remarks objecting to the proposal, mainly on the costs of building the school that will add more taxes on to local residents. He asked that borough taxpayers be polled whether or not the Borough should give the property for the school, saying the debt is a “death sentence” as eight people [on the school board] vote and give 10,000 people a tax increase. “I’m not against education,” he said, “but I’m against wasteful spending” and called for the process to slow down. In rebuttal, Pany said the issue of a middle school had been going to East Allen Township, and now in the borough it is more feasible and saves a lot more in transportation costs. He added
that if it [the school] were in East Allen Township, the NASD would need water that comes from Bethlehem. Other comments: It is closer to the library . . .There are parks in each ward of the borough. Pany then broadened his remarks: “To Mr. Kovalchik [schools superintendent] and the board, “It’s time you contact Senator Boscola and Reps. Julie Harhart and Marcia Hahn – summon those people to your office and lay out a mandate to Gov. Corbett and the Dept. of Public Education to get a proper allocation for our district.” Supt. Joseph Kovalchik did meet the DPE Secretary and Sen. Boscola last week about it and he said he wasn’t satisfied. Following Vote After the vote was taken, Council President John Yurish said he sees the agreement as a “win-win situation for everyone.” Councilwoman Sherry Neff-Maikits said she looks forward to the new school and is glad to see that the Continued on page 15
Essroc settles toxic Chemical reporting violations The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that Essroc Cement Corporation has agreed to pay a $82,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of toxic chemical reporting requirements at its manufacturing facility located at 401 West Prospect St., Nazareth, Pa.
According to EPA, Essroc failed to submit three years of required reports on a regulated toxic chemical (lead) which was processed at this facility. EPA cited the company for violating the Emergency Planning and Community Continued on page 2
Continued on page 15
LEHIGH TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS – Seated are Lehigh Township’s Board of Supervisors (l-r) Cynthia Miller, Sandra Hopkins, Darryl Snover, Dell Grove, and Keith Hantz. Standing – Township Manager Alice Rehrig, Engineer Phillip Malitsch, and Solicitor David Backenstoe. – Home News photo