By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

In addition to receiving updates from the township’s emergency services, Heidelberg supervisors had a varied business agenda to address at their Jan. 21 meeting.

In her Emergency Management Coordinator report, Dawn Didra said there had been an exposure within the municipal building and any close contacts were notified to quarantine.

She noted the affected areas were sanitized and the office had been closed to the public from Jan. 7-15 as a precaution.

In light of the recent exposure and ongoing pandemic, Didra recommended public access to the building during public meetings be limited to just 15 minutes before the meetings’ start as an extra precaution.

She said the move would limit the number of people in the building, as well as the amount of personal contact between residents.

Supervisors voiced their approval of the policy.

In other matters, board Chairman Steve Bachman provided an update from the Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial Committee, noting Phase 1 of the memorial’s site construction had begun.

He said a materials and a service list had been received, and he asked the township to help supply the listed items and provide $15,000 of in-kind services which had previously been promised for the project.

Bachman also said fundraising for the veterans’ memorial project has already reached more than 50 percent of the estimated $330,000-$350,000 total cost.

In his director of public works report, Supervisor David Fink said the new public works truck had been delivered and was ready for service.

He suggested board members receive some training on the vehicle in case of emergency situations, as the truck does not require a commercial driver’s license to operate.

In her report, township Administrator Janice Meyers said she would compile information and apply for the Department of Community and Economic Development grant program, through which the township could receive up to $50,000 to install an air filtration system in the township garage.

Meyers also said she, Didra and Weisenberg Township Administrator Brian Carl had a virtual meeting with representatives from the conservation district regarding a mini-grant of up to $2,000 for the educational component of the township’s MS4 permit.

Didra said the grant could be used for educational offerings such as webinars and brochures for homeowners on stormwater programs.

She said if residents participate, they will be able to receive a rain barrel.

In his report, township engineer Chris Noll said he and Roadmaster Kevin Huber met with representatives from the Waterloo Ridge Development to review roadside and shoulder improvements.

He said a plan would be submitted to the township for review.

Noll added a proposal was created to address drainage issues along Hunters Hill Road via a drainage easement.

The board voted to approve the plan.

Additionally, regarding the Buckery Road Bridge, Noll said representatives of the Lehigh County Conservation District made evaluations on the bridge.

He added there may be some money available through the state Dirt Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program to replace the bridge.

Meyers said she had contacted state Sen. Pat Browne’s office regarding the bridge to inquire about any additional funding.

Didra said she contacted Lehigh County Emergency Management, as well about any hazard mitigation funding to be used for repairs.

The board also heard another request to adopt a contract with the Sanctuary at Haafsville for stray animal services.

Supervisors previously requested the contract’s wording be changed to include a $900 cap, but Meyers said the Sanctuary would not accept the terms.

She said the organization instead proposed language that said Sanctuary would contact Heidelberg Township once a $900 threshold had been met, and the organization would cease picking up strays until further direction is received from the township.

The board voted to approve the contract with the new $900 cease-service limit.

Under new business, the board voted to appoint Blue Mountain inspection Services to complete open permit inspections, a motion which had been tabled at the January reorganization meeting.

A motion regarding an itemized fee schedule prepared by LTL Consultants, which had also been requested at the reorganization meeting, was tabled to give the township time to review and draw comparisons with existing schedules.

Furthermore, the township also received a request for comments from PennDOT on a draft document regarding the use of road robots, which Meyers explained would be used to deliver items such as packages and medical supplies.

Meyers and board members said they did not see the robots as being feasible to operate in Heidelberg Township due to the low residential population density and did not offer any comments on the PennDOT letter.

Furthermore, a permit renewal request for Lee Miller’s Used Cars and Trucks was also approved by supervisors.

Additionally, Bachman mentioned establishing a Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance in the township, noting the subject had been discussed last year.

Such an ordinance would prevent township money or resources from being used for federal or state decisions which are perceived to infringe on residents’ Second Amendment rights.

The board expressed interest in conducting further research and drafting the necessary language.

The next supervisors’ meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.