June 19, 2019 – Upper Nazareth Supervisors Meeting
Absent: Donna Hirst
Announcements
The July 3rd Supervisors meeting has been cancelled.
July 11th – 7:00pm Planning Commission Regular Meeting
July 16th – 7:30pm Recreation Board Regular Meeting
July 17th – 7:00pm Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting
Public Comment
A resident who lives on Bath Pike complained about semis parking in front of his house for hours at a time. He requested the township install a “No Parking” sign but it’s a PennDOT road—not the township’s. Police Chief Cope said they’d ask the truckers to ‘move along’ if neighbors call in with complaints.
A resident from Gun Club Road continues to challenge the Zoning Officer’s interpretation of the 105B section of the ordinance in relation to the Tadmoor Project. He would like to ask John Sloe this question directly but the Zoning Officer did not attend last week’s meeting or this one. Gary Asteak said he concurred with the Zoning Officer’s decision.
The same resident also pointed out that he’s made three requests with the township to schedule a meeting and has yet to receive a response. Township Manager Lisa Klem said she’s still getting acclimated to the job and would call him.
Presentation
Terry from Fair Districts PA did a presentation on how gerrymandering is damaging political representation in Upper Nazareth (UNT). [Gerrymandering is the drawing of boundaries to benefit a party or candidate.] Under the current lines, UNT is split apart from Lower Nazareth and Moore townships.
Studies have shown that gerrymandering increases polarization and gridlock, leading to a less responsive legislature. Pennsylvania has one of the lowest percentages of bills enacted. Legislators aren’t accountable to the voters if they are entrenched in their seats.
The Congressional maps redrawn in 2018 will expire in 2021. There are two bills in the House (HB23 and HB22) which will move the drawing of the boundaries to an independent organization.
A resident made a formal request for the Supervisors to support a Resolution in favor of fair districting. 296 municipalities and 20 counties have already passed similar resolutions.
Heritage Village Phases 3 & 4
Supervisors refused to motion a request for Heritage Village to open a road to become a through way. A member of the Planning Commission pointed out that people who bought houses in Phase 2 assumed the road would remain closed. Scott Sylvanius thought opening the road would dramatically increase traffic.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Approval to advertise for Request for Proposals for consulting services to create a Recreation, Parks and Open Space Master plan.
Approval to advertise bid specifications for an electrical project in Tuskes Park.
Approval for $3,420 for camera system in Tuskes Park
Approval for $2,705 for a camera system at the Daniels Road garage
Becky Bartlett covers these meetings because citizens have a right to know what their governments are doing.
Upper Nazareth Township Meetings 