40¢
71st Year, Issue No. 7 USPS 248-700
FEBRUARY 16-22, 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.
Farmland preservation moving Forward in Moore Township
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
It was reported at last Tuesday’s meeting of the Moore Township Board of Supervisors that the Joseph Csencsits farm was put into preservation on February 3. In addition, the Larry Kemmerer farm appraisal of 95 out of 112 acres was approved. The Farmland Preservation & Open Space Committee noted that out of 200 farm owners contacted, 20 want to join in the preservation effort. There is $548,150 left under the previous year’s commitment of $1-million, and this year there is $700,000, so they will continue to move forward. Glenn Shoemaker of the Environmental Advisory Council announced that June 9 will be the next time for recycling of refrigerators (with or without freon) and a number of other items. There is no charge except for batteries. He asked the supervisors to approve a $500 expenditure for advertising, twice in The Home News and once in The Key, plus distribution of pamphlets, telling when and where, and what can be brought in. . Last year, the local collection of recyclables amounted to 15,726 pounds. Other Matters • Two subdivisions were approved conditionally: the J. H. Hicks land development, which engineer Al Kortze said had met his conditions and the planning commission approved; and the Michael and Colin Frick land development. Although a number of residents were opposed to the latter, the planning commission approved, and Supervisors Chairman David Tashner said all conditions were complied with. • A $98,000 letter of credit
INSIDE THIS WEEK: Looking Back….2 College Corner …. 4 & 5 Cement Worker….8 & 9 Police Blotter ….14 & 16 Puzzle Page ....15
Contest Benefits School
for Pheasant Ridge Estates, phase two, would be pulled, the board said, if the developer didn’t get an extension by February 8. • The board voted to advertise for bids for stone and asphalt for this year. • It was noted that a considerable amount of brush has been hauled to the First Regional Compost Authority site in East Allen Township. Continued on page 7
Lehigh Elementary kindergarten class enjoyed prizes their teacher Lisa Jones won from the DelMonte Teacher Monday Contest. Ms. Jones received $250 in supplies and $750 which she used to purchase fruit bars for the K-6 students and their families. – Contributed photo
275th Anniversary Corner
Used Clothing Drive & Community Yard Sale It is that time of year again to start thinking about the used clothing drive and community yard sale in the Borough of Bath. The yard sale is scheduled for May 19 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the borough. Permits are $10 and can be purchased through the borough office. The used clothing drive will also happen the weekend of May 19 and May 20. Used clothing, linens, towels, stuffed animals, hard plastic toys, belts, coats and jackets can be dropped off at My Place Restaurant on May 19 and 20th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ONLY. All items must be in a plastic bag. Start cleaning out your closets now to help make 2012 clothing drive the best the borough has seen! Basket Bingo The Anniversary committee has scheduled a Longaberger basket bingo for March 25th at the Klecknersville Fire Co. The doors will open 12 noon and the bingo starts at 1 p.m. For more info, stop by the anniversary store on Saturday from 10 – 1 p.m. or contact MiContinued on page 7
School board discusses next Steps for new middle school By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Planning for the projected new middle school was one of the main items on Monday night’s agenda for the Northampton Area School Board. One of the first steps before that part of the campus moves forward is demolition of pod three at the present middle school, along with the field house. Also on Monday, the board approved the contract with KCBA of Hatfield, Pa., to provide architectural services to the district for the new Northampton Area grades 6, 7 and 8 middle school project. They also passed a resolution authorizing the execution of and approval of the agreement of sale for the purchase
of the former Northampton Branch of the VocationalTechnical School at 1417 Laubach Ave. , along with purchasing the title insurance for the property in an amount no less than the purchase price being paid for the property. Two presentations were made, one that noted the general operating budget of Intermediate Unit #20 and the other from district dental hygienist Mrs. Beth Arcury, outlining the program she has in trying to provide good dental health education for children in the district. She will also seek grants to pay for some of the instructional needs. Mrs. Arcury noted proudly that she was selected to be featured on a billboard that is sponsored by the Community College.
At the next meeting, there will be a presentation by the Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech. Other Matters The board accepted the resignation of Robert Edwards, special education instructional assistant, effective Jan. 27. In other personnel actions: • Approval was given for Mrs. Tara Mrazik, Ms. Tara Mushko, Mrs. Ann Harrington, Mrs. Theresa Barrall, and Richard Silvius to attend the Pa. DECA State Conference along with 61 DECA students on Feb. 22-24 in Hershey at a minimum cost of $11,730. • Attendance of Dr. Stephen Kachmar at the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program trainer of trainers program at Continued on page 13
Official gives update on local PennDOT projects
By Joe Korba Special to The Home News
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, Ronald Young, a PennDOT District 5 press officer, spoke at a Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce event at The Other Side Restaurant in Neffs. Young described the deteriorating conditions of many state roads and bridges throughout our area. In Northampton County alone there are more than 104 miles
of roads rated in poor condition by PennDOT standards. There are also 62 bridges in the county that PennDOTrates as “structurally deficient,” meaning; “one or more bridge elements have deteriorated to they point that they need to be posted with weight limits or closed completely in some cases,” according to Young. Some road projects are pending, but finding the
funding to do all the necessary work isn’t easy. PennDOT has a fixed budget based on the state’s gas tax and driver’s license and registration fees. While fuel and material costs have risen exponentially PennDOT hasn’t seen an increase in state funding since 1997. The two hurricanes in the fall of 2011 caused major flooding and washed out numerous state roads negating Continued on page 3