BY MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

North Whitehall supervisors met Nov. 1 at the township building to discuss several budget items.

One of the approved budget items of interest is the new turning lane proposed for Route 309 North at Pennsylvania Drive.

“We have $550,000 for the Route 309/Pennsylvania Drive turning lane project and the last item we put money in this year, we had budgeted for ... ” Township Manager Chris Garges said. “You’ll see a new lane, a new signal configuration that will allow turning movements for trucks so we just completed the easement.

“Acquisition and what we need for that, so right now we’re just waiting on the PennDOT permit and then we’ll be waiting for spring weather.

“And so the township is paying for that, not the warehouse company, there was a traffic impact fee of $500,000 paid. So that’s already in our bank account, if you will, and we have estimated $550,000 for those improvements.

“We also have submitted a grant application … so we may be able to let you know if we’re successful with the grant.”

Another project discussed was the replacement of the Coffeetown Road bridge.

Garges said he met with PennDOT and they were not able to guarantee funding, but they encourage the township to apply for grants.

The township could work in partnership with PennDOT, but he said the township will work by taking baby steps to get this project moving forward.

Traveling south on Coffeetown Road the trees block the view of the bridge. Taking care of this will make the roadway safer meanwhile.

Another item on the agenda was a resolution for payment for purchase of agricultural conservation.

One was for an agricultural easement for 15 acres of farmland owned by Edwin and Susan Gardner, along Bellevue Road, and which is part of the county’s farmland preservation program.

The Gardners approached the township and applied through the county as well as the township.

The property was appraised at $670 an acre, so this resolution approved a payment of $11,000.

The funds used were from the townships farmland preservation accounts.

An authorization to obtain a real estate appraisal was discussed.

“This came from a recommendation from our farmland preservation board,” Garges said. “Mr. Schmidt had applied to the township’s open space program. His property is currently in the agricultural security area, and he has also applied to Lehigh County for its farmland preservation.

“The next step to move forward with preservation is for the township is to obtain an appraisal at the cost of $1,700. Once we have the appraisal completed, we can then approach the applicant alongside the county and begin negotiation for preservation of the property.”

The board approved authorization for the property prices.

Authorization to register for the Pennsylvania Opioid Settlement Benefits was listed on the agenda.

“This is a program that consists of two legal settlements wherein we might be able to get direct funds from one or both of the settlements,” Solicitor Lisa Young explained. “And, also if we don’t get direct funds, our participation in the class toward the settlements will increase the amount that the state of Pennsylvania will receive.

“So, we’re hoping that we do and may qualify for direct front funds from both settlements.

“And this would be authorization to allow the manager to register on their website so that we receive various notices and forms and things to proceed with possibly receiving those funds.”