40¢
70th Year, Issue No. 28 USPS 248-700
July 14-20, 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.
Size of historic district a Subject for Bath Council Noting her objections to how some borough officials handled the question of Bath’s historic district, Councilwoman Carol BearHeckman on Monday said it should not have gone to the Bath Planning Commission and its solicitor, thereby wasting taxpayer money. Mrs. Heckman said she is proud of the historic district that was formed 12 years ago. She said she has heard no residents object to its size, although Council president Robert Fields and other members of Council feel that going all the way out East Main Street and Northampton Street is too much. She said there should be a public hearing for any new proposal to change the district, and not just two members of Council and then the planning commission and its solicitor. Councilman Joe Linsenmann, a member of the BPC, said they looked at it very seriously. And when people do alter the exterior of their homes without Historic Architectural
Review Board (H.A.R.B.) or Council approval for its appropriateness, Councilwoman Jennifer George said they may not even know there is a H.A.R.B. Mrs. Heckman said the present historic district is state registered, and has been nominated nationally. Linsenmann asked her if it can be changed. Possibly, but with approval of the state, she said. Councilman Mark Saginario and Fields will meet again and come back with recommendations by next month. Other Matters • Steve Lambrinos, owner of Town & Country Restaurant, showed a sketch plan of changes he would like to make at the rear of the restaurant, noting that he has gotten nowhere with the BPC and zoning office, and has expended much money in doing so. He wants to add six to seven feet for office space, with no additional seating. But to do so, Linsenmann said, he would have to provide added parking. The suggestion was that he consult with Dianne Smith about sharing more parking in a legal agreement.
Lambrinos said he would add shrubbery and try to modernize his building. Linsenmann said there could also be a conflict with Pa. Act 167. The restaurant owner will try to work out an agreement that won’t be problematic for the borough. • Allen George, E. Main St., complained about “the corner bar”, noise, and some urinating in the parking lot. The issue will be brought to the attention of Colonial Regional Police. • A certificate of recognition was presented to Troop 43 Boy Scout JohnVeiszlemlein for having worked on his Eagle Scout project by making boards for borough rules and regulations to be displayed at local parks. He used some $700 worth of materials and had assistance in finishing the project successfully. • In her earlier report, Councilwoman Heckman said the Bath Borough Business & Community Partnership has applied for a $10,000 grant, made possible because it is an affiliate of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of
On June 9, the Manoquesy Lodge #413 F&AM of Bath enjoyed a visit by Major General Marquis De Lafayette, as portrayed by Brother Larry G. Newhard. The Lodge, whose officers were also dressed in authentic period attire, were
regaled by General Lafayette's stories of the hardships of war, the ongoing needs of the soldiers and of his own wounds suffered at the defeating Battle of Brandywine with recuperation at the Sun Inn in Bethlehem.
It was also Past Master's Night, an occasion when the lodge recognize and honors the Past Masters, living and dead. All in attendance unanimously insisted that Brother Lafayette also be honored for his service to the fraternity and his adopted country. He went on to thank the Brethren for their recognition. The General also asked that we never forget our soldiers, that we strive to meet their needs to the best of our abilities and that we too, fight for liberty and freedom. These heartfelt sentiments stand true, even to this day. This unique way of celbrating the past masters was brought about by the current Lodge Master, Peter Gigliotti. “As far as we have been able to find out this has never been done in the state of Pennsylvania,” he said. After the meeting, General Lafayette was guest of honor at a festive gathering in theFellowship Hall, where he told the group of his adventures in France, his home country, his trek to America and of his friendships with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION was presented to Boy Scout John Veiszlemlein by Mayor Donald Wunderler and Council President Robert Fields on Monday for his Eagle project making regulations boards for borough parks. – Home News photo
E-recycling hailed as great Success in Moore Township By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Glenn Shoemaker of the Environmental Advisory Council reported to the Moore Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 5 that the recent electronic recycling event was a huge success. He said that 159 vehicles hauled in 15,726 pounds of recyclables – including fax machines, computers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and monitors, among many other assorted items. In answer to a question at the meeting on how the drive is a benefit, Shoemaker said, “This way the electronics don’t end up in dumpsters.” The supervisors set June 9, 2012 for another e-cycling event. Now, with new regulations, there will be no charge for the items that are brought to the Moore Township municipal building. Shoemaker said there is no restriction on residence. In this latest collection, more than 50% of the people came from Moore Township, but there were others from such places as Plainfield Township and Wind Gap. He also advised the supervisors that the EAC newsletter for Moore Township is
being prepared for printing to an estimated 3,724 households. The board had previously agreed to pay mailing costs, which are estimated between $1,162 and $1,365, plus $175 for handling. Other Matters • Recreation board member Sterling Laubach reportContinued on page 7
Fire destroys Garage, home
A fire in Nazareth on Monday afternoon apparently started when a lwan mower erupted in flames in a garage on N. New St. It spread to a pickup truck, which exploded, then set an adjacent home on fire. The home owned by Charles Weisenberger was destroyed, but another home was saved. About 100 firefighters from 10 volunteer companies responded with Vigilance Hose Co. #1. The fire started shortly after 3 p.m. and was under control at about 5:45 p.m. The garage burned to the ground at 4:15. Temperatures in the 90’s had an effect on the firefighters and they poured water on themselves.
Continued on page 7
Masons Go Colonial
Past Masters Night celebrated at Bath Manoquesy Lodge. Members dressed up in colonial garb were Larry Silfies, George Makoul, Matthew Silfies, Peter Gigliotti, Daniel Miller, Chance Trapp, Patrick Ridenour, Kyle Grube and William Guth. – Contributed photo