Moore Township Supervisors Consider drainage issues, approve Ad for Agritainment ordinance

By SAVANNAH BROWN

The Moore Township Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, March 7 to discuss various Public Works Department items, open space preservation requests, drainage issues on Trach Road and East Scenic Road, the Agritourism/Agritainment Ordinance draft, and the Schiavone Farm lease/sale.

Police Chief Gary West provided the February report for the police department. In total, there were 263 calls for the month, 54 traffic citations issued, five written and verbal warnings issued, three arrests (two for DUI and one for theft), three non-traffic citations issued (two for unsecured dogs and one for harassment), and three non-reportable accidents.

Fire Police Captain Jason Harhart reported that the Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Co. responded to 60 ambulance calls during the month of February and 22 fire calls, which included three fires, two motor vehicle accidents, one fire police aid, two automatic fire alarms, eight ambulance assists, two wires down, and four mutual aid calls with Bath’s Station #40 for a tree down and wires down, East Allen Township’s Station #46 for a fire, and a fire in Monroe County. In other news, the township received three quotes for field treatments and supervisors unanimously approved hiring Hahn’s Lawns who had the lowest bid of $9,500 for four field treatment applications.

Supervisors also approved the promotion of Brandon Biery from municipal laborer to municipal worker since completion of his Class A CDL license. Director of the Public Works Department Craig Hoffman announced that street sweeping is planned for April 3-7 and April 24-26.

Supervisors also unanimously approved the direction for Engineer Kevin Horvath to put bids out for the 2023 seal coat projects, which will be for Derhammer Road, North Oaks Road, Bigley Road, Vista Drive, Alpine Drive, South Mink Road between 946 and West Scenic Drive, Hillcrest Lane, Applebutter Lane, and

Bath Supply (1)

Frank Yeakel608 (203-204-201)

Steve Kerbacher 606 (201-215)

Rich Marzen 567 (203)

Frank Donchez 548 (213)

Brent Connolly 514

Carfara’s Paint & Wall Covering (3)

Ty Pagotto 687 (255-254)

Terry Pagotto 521

Terry Bartholomew 518

Broken Tackle (4)

Shannon Quick 664 (245-266)

Paul Berkowitz 645 (229-225)

Ed Zupko 641 (221-221)

Butch Riddle 566 (210)

Vinny Spaziani 557 (231)

Moore Township Supervisors

Crest Vue Circle.

Next, Richard Gable announced that the First Regional Compost Authority has an abundance of mulch, so they are having a Mulch Madness event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 24 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. There will be free loading of any size vehicle or trailer, no residency stamp requirement, and $10 admission per day with unlimited site visits.

Following, supervisors unanimously approved two open space preservations for the 9.88-acre Peters property on Beersville Road and 25-acre Hager property on Keeler Road. Supervisors also approved the open space preservation appraisal for the 32-acre George property on South Penn Dixie Road and the resignation of Larry Bender from the Land and Environmental Protection Board after 28 years of volunteer service to the township. They will be seeking a new member to fill the vacant seat on the Land and Environmental Protection Board.

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In other business, Engineer Horvath addressed the drainage issue on East Scenic Road. Horvath explained that there are a couple private drainage pipes that drain to an existing PennDOT culvert that are filled with sediment and contacted the maintenance manager for the area who will check out the pipes and use a vacuum to remove the sediment as soon as possible.

Engineer Horvath also shared that there are two ways the township could proceed with vacating Trach Road. If the township wishes to keep the road, it will need to consider diverting some water flow from the east end of the field. Horvath explained that the road needs to be regraded and tipped so the water can flow in a diffused manner.

If the township decides to vacate the road, then Horvath advised the road should be removed because it’s interrupting natural drainage patterns. However, if the road is vacated, it will not be eligible for dirt and gravel road grant funds, but it may qualify for funds through the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program.

Horvath added that from a maintenance standpoint, the road will continue to erode and create problems. Therefore, piping is the ultimate solution for the drainage issues, but is the worst option from an environmental standpoint. The road is manageable if the township decided to keep the road based on whether they believe the road serves a public good, but it will continue to require long-term care.

Both options will have a similar upfront cost of approximately $100,000. Supervisors requested defined plans for both scenarios so they and the property owners (whose lands border the road) can stay informed.

Next, supervisors approved the advertisement of the Agritourism/Agritainment Ordinance after a few questions from board member Michael A. Tirrell Jr. regarding the limit of the businesses to 150 guests, the limit of four employees, and the requirement that 50% of products on display shall be grown or produced on the property. Township Solicitor David M. Backenstoe clarified that farmers can apply for special

CATERING & ROASTERS

exceptions in front of the Zoning Hearing Board for variances that would allow for larger operations and that supervisors can amend the ordinance if they would like down the road.

Supervisors also approved an amendment to all farm lease agreements to change payments from once a year to twice a year (half of the payment in the spring and half in the fall), as well as the direction for Township Manager Nicholas C. Steiner to put Schiavone Farm out to bid for a yearlong lease and put it up for sale simultaneously.

The next Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting will be held Tuesday, April 4 at 6 p.m. in the municipal building, located at 2491 Community Dr.

April 28

Friday, May 26

Friday, July 7

Friday, Sept. 22

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East Allen Township Discusses Proposed OfficeWarehouse, Addresses Group home Concerns

By KERI LINDENMUTH

During their meeting on Wednesday, March 8, the East Allen Township Board of Supervisors voted to send the township’s solicitor and engineer to an upcoming zoning hearing board meeting to cross-examine the owners of a proposed office-warehouse development at Snowdrift and Airport roads.

Saturday, Sept. 9 Small items

Demo Derby (Starts 1 p.m.) Sunday, April 30

Gates

FARM MARKET ALSO OPEN FMI

This 2,500-square-foot development falls into the township’s office-commercial zoning district. It will feature an office building that serves as the ToyotaLift regional headquarters and a warehouse building that will store forklifts and parts. Forklift techs will visit the location regularly to purchase parts, rent forklifts, and repair their machinery. However, developers argue this property is not a “true” warehouse due to its small size and unique use.

It is this conflict over use that brings the developers to the zoning hearing board. Allowed uses on the property include professional office space, research/engineering/testing, telecommunications, receiving and service, training centers, and township emergency support.

Developers will argue at the March 21 hearing board meeting that their development falls into the zone’s use as storage, repair, receiving, and office space. The hearing board can reject this argument, accept this argument, or impose certain conditions.

“I don’t think it’s a good thing for the township,” said Supervisor

Free pop-up Prom gown Boutique Coming to Bath

By HOME NEWS STAFF

A pop-up prom gown boutique called Cinderella’s Closet will soon be coming to Bath. On Sunday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion in Bath, anyone in need of a prom dress is invited to try on and take home the gown of their dreams on a first-come, first-served basis at absolutely no cost. There will also be a sign-in sheet for prizes related to other prom needs such as hair, nails, flowers, etc.

“With so much hate going on in school with bullying and social media, I felt compelled to help our young girls in some way. This would be such a gift for someone who normally may not even go to prom, because getting a dress was impossible. I mean, who couldn’t use a fairy godmother moment, right?” said Bath resident and creator of Bath’s Cinderella’s Closet, Robin DeReamus.

If there is a big response this year, the event may be expanded next year to include more days where girls can come and find their dream dress.

For further information or if you’d like to donate a gift or prize to Cinderella’s Closet, call Robin DeReamus at 484-894-6370.

Georgiann Hunsicker. “You don’t know how many trucks are going in and out of there.”

Township resident Larry Russ agreed.

“I don’t care how you cut it; it is a warehouse,” he said. However, some supervisors and township experts believe that developers could convince the board that their property falls under the receiving and service use.

“I do not see what we could oppose it on,” said Supervisor Mark Schwartz.

Engineer James Milot compared the property to a repair shop. Like a repair shop, it will sell parts, store vehicles, and repair parts. It does not fall into any one particular use.

The maximum height for this building, Milot explained, is 35 feet. Standard warehouses have a minimum of 42 to 44 feet. In addition, the square footage will be 25,000 compared to 400,000, which is the standard warehouse size in the township.

The office will take up 20 to 25% of the property. One delivery truck will work out of this location.

Northampton County to host Resource fair for small businesses

Submitted by BRITTNEY WAYLEN

County Executive Lamont G. McClure, Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Small Business Development Center, and Northampton Community College will host a Small Business Resource Fair. This free event will take place on Thursday, April 27 at Northampton Community College. It will provide attendees with the opportunity to network with many small business resource partners. The training topics will include Business Financing, Business Start-up/Pre-planning, Exporting, Human Resources/Managing Employees, Legal Issues, Managing a Business, Marketing/Sales, Selling to Government, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Woman-owned Businesses, and much more. To register, contact Northamp- ton County DCED at 610-8296306 or dtomaino@norcopa. gov.

Mako assigned To three House Standing Committees

Submitted by TRACY POLOVICK

Rep. Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/ Northampton) last week was named to three House standing committees for the 2023-24 Legislative Session. His committee assignments are Appropriations, Finance and Professional Licensure.

“I look forward to continuing my service on these three committees for the next two years,” Mako said. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have helped to build a record-high Rainy Day Fund for the Commonwealth so we are prepared for any economic downturns. I’m eager to con- tinue working to keep Pennsylvania in a strong fiscal position. In addition, the pandemic shone a bright spotlight on deficiencies in the state’s licensing process for a number of professions. I hope to work to continue to remove these roadblocks so that people are not discouraged from pursuing their careers here.”

As all state budget legislation must originate in the House of Representatives, the House Appropriations Committee is the primary committee of the General Assembly tasked with overseeing state government spending, state fiscal policies and developing a state budget each fiscal year.

The Finance Committee oversees matters relating to taxation and fiscal policy, investment of the Commonwealth’s money and regulations of the Department of Revenue. In addition, it reviews legislation dealing with the operation of the Pennsylvania Lottery, as well as bills regarding the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the

Elderly (PACE) Program, both of which are funded by the lottery.

The Professional Licensure Committee maintains jurisdiction over all legislation dealing with the 29 professional and occupational licensing boards located administratively in the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State. Professionals range from physicians and cosmetologists to real estate agents and funeral directors. Additionally, the committee is charged with reviewing the various regulations put forward by the Department of State regarding licensed professionals.

The 183rd District includes Lowhill and North Whitehall townships and Slatington Borough in Lehigh County. It also consists of Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and Moore (part) townships, and Bath, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport boroughs in Northampton County.

Northampton County Broadband study Moving forward

Submitted by BRITTNEY WAYLEN County Executive Lamont G. McClure announces that Northampton County has contracted with Design Nine, Inc. of

5 and Under: Free Children 6-12: $5 VIP Package (Details Online) $70

Adults: $15

Seniors (55+), Military, Students, Faculty

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Northampton Borough Police Report

FEBRUARY 19

Domestic in the 1600 block of Newport Ave., and the 1000 block of Main St. Reports of domestics between a male and a female.

EMS ambulance assist in the 600 block of E. 8th St. Officers assist EMS with the transport of a male.

Check person/welfare in the 1600 block of Poplar St., and the 1600 block of Main St. Requests to check the welfare of males.

Traffic stop in the unit block of Main St. A traffic stop was conducted.

FEBRUARY 20

Traffic stop, Main St. and E. 8th St., E. 10th St. and Washington Ave., W. 21st St. and Canal St., Main St. and Laubach Ave., W. 9th St., and the 1600 block and the 2000 block of Main St. Traffic stops were conducted.

Check person/welfare in the unit block of Lerchenmiller Dr. Request to check the welfare of a female.

EMS ambulance assist in the 200 block of E. 20th St. Officers assist EMS with the transport of a male.

Check person/welfare in the unit block of W. 24th St. Request to check the welfare of a male.

FEBRUARY 21

Trespass in the 2900 block of Center Rd. Report of a male trespassing.

EMS ambulance assist in the 1800 block of Lincoln Ave., the 1600 block of Newport Ave., and the unit block of W. 24th St. Officers assist EMS with the transports of males.

Noise complaint in the 1700 block of Newport Ave. Report of loud music.

Disturbance in the 500 block of E. 4th St. Report of a disturbance.

Domestic in the 1800 block of Lincoln Ave. between two males.

Assist person in the 1600 block of Washington Ave. Officers as- sist a female.

Juvenile problem in the 1600 block of Lincoln Ave. Report of a juvenile issue.

Civil matter in the 2900 block of Center Rd. Report of a civil matter.

Suspicious act in the 1700 block of Newport Ave. Report of a suspicious act.

Unwanted person in the unit block of W. 21st St. Report of an unwanted male and female.

Traffic stop, Laubach Ave. and Mike Lisetski Dr., and Main St. and W. 9th St. Traffic stops were conducted.

Unwanted person in the 1600 block of Newport Ave. Report of an unwanted male.

FEBRUARY 22

Assist person in the 2400 block of Dewey Ave. Officers assist a female.

Theft, other in the 1400 block of Washington Ave. Report of a package taken from a front porch.

Hit and run accident in the 100 block of Howertown Rd. Report of a legally parked vehicle struck, damaging the rear bumper.