June 6, 2018 – Upper Nazareth Supervisors Meeting
Mike Rinker and Scott Sylvanius were absent
Announcements
June 23, 2018 – County Latex Paint Recycling Event at 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, PA from 9:00am – 3:00pm
Community Concerns
I asked about the recent rash of break-ins around Farmview Estates. Police Chief Cope said there have been several incidents of cars and sheds broken into around the township and surrounding areas but he didn’t provide a count. Supervisors recommend that residents keep their homes and cars locked.
A resident from Deerfield Avenue again advocated for an ordinance to require pet owners to keep their animals on their own property. He has a problem with his neighbors cats attacking songbirds around his bird feeder
Residents from Blue Jay Drive challenged the township’s instructions to remove permanent basketball nets on their property. E.J. Mentry, township manager, said that six homeowners have received citations due to complaints. The Zoning officer pointed out that no permanent structures are allowed on easements and right-of-ways. The Public Works director said that several township trucks have already been damaged by basketball hoops and that the crews will be doing roadwork in that area in August. Township Solicitor, Gary Asteak, suggested that the board discuss a policy concerning portable basketball hoops at a future meeting when all supervisors are in attendance.
Animal Control Officer
The Council of Governments (COG) for the Nazareth Area are interested in contracting with Pibbles & Paws in Moore Township to capture, kennel and provide emergency veterinary care for stray dogs. Pibbles & Paws, a 501c3 organization, will keep the dogs in a kennel for 24 hours and, if no owner can be located, move them to foster care for 30 days then put them up for adoption. The year-to-year contract will relieve the Police department of the responsibility. The cost is estimated to be 50 cents per resident or $3,200. If Upper Nazareth gets the contract, services will begin on Jan. 1st, 2019. This topic will be discussed at a future meeting.
Official Map
The PA Municipalities Planning Code requires the township to adopt an official map. The map of Upper Nazareth was presented but, due to two absent supervisors, the vote was deferred to the June 20th meeting. Development of the map was paid for through a Lehigh Valley Greenways map. The meeting will be advertised.
CodeRED
Upper Nazareth residents are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED—an emergency alert system. There will be a display lab in The Key next week and a test of the system on or around June 18th. Sign up for the service here: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BFF6C37BB0AF
Your Tax Dollars at Work
An approval to pay $28,903.40 charge to replace the roof on the Municipal Building.
Approval to pay $26,006.00 to a siding company for work on the Municipal building.
The Supervisors tabled a vote for a new intercom from Royal Security for $1,237. With the door of the Municipal Building locked for security reason, several people have been unable to access the building because the buzzer is broken.
Approval to pay up to $3,000 for another round of street sweeping. Winter’s repeated storms left a lot of debris on the roads and there have been multiple complaints.
Approval for 4 UNT Police Officers to donate 5 hours of time working the McDonald Football Classic on June 14th
Police Chief Cope requested the board amend the current ordinance on parking fines. Currently people only pay $5 for illegal parking. He’s requesting that fine be raised to at least $30 per occurrence
Becky Bartlett is a resident of Upper Nazareth and covers these meetings because citizens have the right to know what their government is doing.
