East Allen Township Board of Supervisors, at its Aug. 11 meeting, deadlocked on a waiver request from representatives of the Airport Road Lot 1 warehouse project to allow a 12-inch frost/footer for three storm structures on the property.

A 12-inch frost/footer is Pennsylvania Department of Transportation approved but does not meet the township’s ordinance that requires a 30-inch frost/footer.

The three 12-inch frost/footers in question were installed in 2018.

When it was discovered the first three 12-inch frost/footers were installed, the construction company was informed by the township that 30-inch frost/footers are required. The 30-inch footers were installed moving forward. It was noted Northampton County would be responsible for any future issues.

The request got mildly contentious when it was pointed out that Northampton County reviewed the project plans and reportedly approved them; however, no county approval documentation was provided to the board.

This prompted Supervisor Chris Cruz to comment that he was uncomfortable without a clear designation from the county allowing the use of 12-inch frost/footers. Cruz’s concern is the township might be liable if the use of the three footers in question creates a future problem.

Township Solicitor Joseph Piperato suggested someone from Northampton County’s engineering department explain its position. Piperato further noted the developer needs to draft a letter to indemnify the township should any future issues arise.

The vote on the waiver request deadlocked at 2-2. Cruz and Supervisor Georgiann Hunsicker voted no. Vice Chairman Mark Schwartz and Supervisor Donald Heiney voted yes. Board Chairman Roger Unangst was absent.

Piperato suggested the waiver requesters address the concerns and get on the next board of supervisors meeting agenda, planned for Aug. 26, to further review the matter.

In other business, Hunsicker became emotional when she talked about a situation that she expressed was not fair. She relayed that she believed the township was planning to remove several trees from a private property at the taxpayer’s expense.

Hunsicker said all residents are taxpayers, noting, “What is fair for one is fair for all.”

Her perspective was these potential tree removals on private property should not occur. She emotionally said that “we are a township of taxpayers” and governmental treatment should not rely on “what you have or who you are.”

Hunsicker made a motion to the effect the township not take down any trees on private property for free, but if it is a zoning issue, they not be removed by the township but rather by the property owner at his or her expense.

Piperato suggested this issue be discussed at the next workshop meeting and be resolved then. Hunsicker agreed and rescinded her motion.

In his public works report, Gary Mathesz commented he was impressed with Mack Trucks visiting the township to learn how the trucks are performing in the field. Schwartz said Mack Trucks is admirable for working with end users to improve the company’s products.

In a report on the River Central Regional Comprehensive plan, township Manager Brent Green said the residents’ response to a survey on the plan has been positive. He said only 38 completed additional surveys were needed from East Allen to fulfill the goal.

Survey completion is an opportunity for residents to make known their wishes about future area development. Green encouraged residents to complete the survey, noting if there are two or more adults in a home, they all can complete a survey.

Visit eatwp.org to access the survey. It can be completed online. For any questions about the survey, call the township office at 610-262-7961.

It was also announced the deadline for the open space and farmland preservation referendum planned to be placed on this November’s ballot was missed. The referendum will be on the May 2022 primary election ballot.

The next board of supervisors meeting is an in-person-only workshop. It will be held 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the municipal building, 5344 Nor-Bath Blvd.