Lehigh County commissioners have approved a revision to the 2019 budget providing money to pay a new director of Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center.

The 9-0 vote at the board’s Feb. 13 clears the way to hiring a new director to replace Good Shepherd Rehabilitation which terminated its management contract.

In other matters, commissioners also approved an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement between Lehigh, Carbon, Lackawanna, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne counties that will continue participation in the Northeast Pennsylvania Emergency Response Group to provide mutual aid and assistance in planning, preparation and response for disasters.

At the end of the meeting, Commissioner Nathan Brown expressed concern about shortages in volunteer firefighters.

His idea is to extend tax credits of up to 20 percent to those volunteers.

Lowhill Township resident Stephanie Brown addressed the board asking commissioners for help.

“I almost died,” Brown said, describing conditions in the house in which she lives.

“It was negative 3 degrees outside my house. I had no heat and was very cold.

“I don’t understand why there aren’t emergency services for cases like mine.”

This was at least the third time Brown has appeared before commissioners with similar complaints and pleas for help.

After the meeting, she spoke with county Director of Administration Edward Hozza Jr.