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JANUARY 20-26, 2022
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Nazareth SD superintendent Clarifies recent health and Safety decisions
By JOE KORBA During the January 11 meeting of the Nazareth School Board, Superintendent Dr. Dennis Riker took responsibility for recent decisions regarding Covid-19 precautions in the district. Dr. Riker began his report by outlining the history of his leadership during the pandemic, saying that he always believed that masks should be optional, and that people seem to forget that. He said that his critics don’t appreciate the position he is in as superintendent. Dr. Riker said that he plans to disclose all the harassing e-mails he has received after he is retired. “I am a commissioned officer of the state, and my employment is based on that commission. It is
really easy to call me a coward,” Dr. Riker said. He then showed two slides. The first, provided by St. Luke’s Hospital, depicted the spike in Covid-19 cases in the county the prior week. The second illustrated the rising positive cases in the school district. Dr. Riker said that while most schools are in the tier-two level of the health and safety plan requiring masking for staff and students for five days, the high school is currently one case short of going virtual. He said that his goal is always to avoid going to a virtual environment for instruction. Considering that goal, Dr. Riker took full responsibility for the decision to mandate masks the week of January 3. While it isn’t clearly out-
lined in the text of the health and safety plan released over the summer, he believed it was within his authority to do so. “The school system is not failing our children, the healthcare system is failing our children,” Dr. Riker said. Other than Covid-related issues, the superintendent’s report included a video presentation about “Sleighride to Mayfield,” a convoy of donated items and money that the Nazareth community sent to a tornado-ravaged area of Kentucky. “Everyone came together for a community in need. That’s what Nazareth needs to get back to. We were able to come together, Continued on page 8
Lehigh Township BOS discuss Gun range requirements and Noise ordinance revisions
By LAUREN SCHUSTER On January 11, the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors held their first meeting for the new year. This also marked the board’s first meeting since the reorganization of township departments for the new year and appointment of new board members. Newly appointed Vice Chairman Gerald Pritchard oversaw the night’s proceedings in the absence of Chairman Mike Jones. Chief of Police Scott Fogel issued an update on the shortage of vehicles for the township po-
lice department. He cited damage to department vehicles from accidents within the last year, stating that the department is waiting for insurance updates following a recent accident. Fogel also addressed a range permit application for a property on Delps Road. While township ordinances require an inspection of the property before a permit is issued, Fogel and the board acknowledged that current guidelines for acceptable safety criteria are unclear. The board decided to revisit the issue at a later date,
allowing time to consult the National Rifle Association’s guidelines for shooting ranges before establishing clearer standards for the township. In new business, the board adopted various ordinances to reenact assorted taxes and establish various township fees for the coming year. The supervisors then addressed a proposed change in township noise ordinances. In light of recent meetings with community members Continued on page 6
East Allen supervisors Discuss township Facilities, emergency Warning signals By CHRISTINA SANTO The East Allen Township Board of Supervisors met on Jan. 12 to discuss township facilities and the emergency signal warning devices. The township had a liability assessment completed sometime in 2021; the assessment noted that the restrooms and entrances to the township building are not ADA-accessible. Brent Green, township manager, explained that the board hopes to have a local architect draw up plans to make one of the two bathrooms accessible; to do this, a small expansion would have to be added onto the building. The restroom that stays as is will become an employee bathroom since employee bathrooms don't have to be ADA-accessible. In terms of making the entrance accessible, a wheelchair elevator was discussed to replace the current ramp that is not up to standards. The board also brought up the handicapped parking space, which is too far away from the entrance. Green also discussed expansion of the salt shed and an additional storage building for the public works department. The salt shed would be included on the proposal with the ADA project, while the additional storage will not cost anything to simply explore options. The board also talked over issues in regards to emergency signal warning devices. In September last year, a dump truck took out the ambulance
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corps’ emergency signal on Route 329; the township is working with the insurance company to replace it. The fire department’s signal is also out of commission. Green said the township would like to look for proposals to make both signals operable again. While the emergency warning signals were not used consistently in the past, increased traffic in the area makes it more necessary now. Solar and OptiCom systems were discussed over the current system in place; supervisor Mark Schwartz was in favor of the latter since it takes out the potential of human error. Lastly, the board discussed the purchase of a vehicle for township employees, which was approved at their December meeting. Most vehicles at dealerships are for retail sale, and the dealerships will not want to swap a retail vehicle out for a “fleet” vehicle, which they cannot replace, according to Green; this means many dealerships are not willing to entertain a sale to the township. The township will keep searching for a vehicle at further dealerships. The East Allen Board of Supervisors will meet next on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building, located at 5344 Nor Bath Blvd.
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