Allen Township Board of Supervisors met Jan. 25 to appoint a new board member and provide another update on the Act 537 Plan.

At the reorganization meeting earlier this year, the board had two vacant seats.

One became available when Tim Paul won two seats in the municipal election. This seat was filled by Gary Behler, who previously served as a supervisor.

The other seat became vacant with Bruce Frack’s resignation. Jason Frack was unanimously appointed by the other four supervisors to fill the seat until the term ends Dec. 31, 2024.

In other business, Andrea Martin, of Barry Isett and Associates, was present to give another update on the township’s Act 537 Plan. Martin explained the township’s options, in terms of the Act 537 Plan, at the last board meeting.

The first and most obvious option would be to maintain the current service agreements with Northampton and Catasauqua boroughs. However, a reported lack of communication with Northampton forced Martin to pursue other options.

Another option presented at the last meeting was the creation of an Allen Township sewer plant that would have the township disconnect entirely from Northampton. This option, Martin said, was not financially feasible.

That brought Martin to the third option - swapping sewer equivalent dwelling units (EDUs). This would mean taking EDUs from Northampton and redirecting them to Catasauqua, using a line through Hanover Township.

Martin proposes splitting the EDUs two-fifths and three-fifths between both boroughs, leaving Northampton with approximately 850 and giving Catasauqua around 1,400.

Martin has reached out to Catasauqua and found the borough has capacity. Representatives from Catasauqua and Allen Township will meet to further discuss the potential of transferring EDUs and fees.

At the time of the meeting, Hanover had not been contacted regarding running extensions through the township.

Finally, the board discussed the allocation of the American Rescue Plan funds.

Township Manager Ilene Eckhart suggested the board take a one-time exemption allowing the ARP funds to be used for “any traditional government expenses,” including roadwork, building repair and charitable donations.

This exemption means the township would not have to go through the lost revenue calculation.

The board discussed donating some of the ARP funds to small businesses and charitable organizations and using some to make repairs and updates to the fire company building. Ultimately, the board wanted more information before making a decision.

Allen Township supervisors will next meet 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the fire company building, 3530 Howertown Road.