At the Feb. 1 Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting, there was a discussion on how the township will move forward on agritainment and agritourism zoning laws.

Agritainment is defined as farm-based entertainment including activities such as hayrides, pony rides, wine tasting, cornfield maze contests, harvest festivals, pick-your-own fruits and vegetables, farm markets, for-fee fishing and more.

Agritourism is the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and often participate in farm activities.

Agritainment and agritourism are associated with each other and possess some overlap.

Township Solicitor David Backenstoe was charged by the supervisors to look into improving the township’s zoning laws to more thoroughly address agritainment and agritourism.

Backenstoe said this is an effort to allow farmers to increase their income in other ways. He suggested farmers may add wedding events, wineries, animal petting and other activities.

He noted he will contact other townships that have agritainment, such as East Allen Township, where Seiple Farm operates a pumpkin patch and Halloween activities. Also in East Allen Township, farmer Roger Unangst operates a weekly food truck event with live music throughout the summer.

Zoning hearing board Chairman Jeff Ayers seemed to note regulation is needed so events are not held that may anger neighbors. There is an impulse in the township to maintain its rural character. Ayers’ concern was that if a property owner holds a weekly event that attracts a large audience, there may be parking and other issues that may require regulation.

John Becker, chairman of the township’s planning commission, weighed in, saying he is opposed to burdening farmers who seek a dual use of their farms with expensive permits. He said he is not in favor of more regulations because they can lead to, what he feels is, government overreach.

There was a clear division in the two positions.

Board Chairman Daniel Piorkowski asked Backenstoe to gather more information and report his findings at the next meeting.

In other business, township Engineer Kevin Horvath reported on his findings about the Pool Road situation - making a left-hand turn from Pheasant Drive onto Pond Road is reportedly dangerous because of a challenged line of sight.

He reported Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicated the permit for the intersection of Pool Road and Pheasant Drive was never properly completed in 1983. Horvath noted PennDOT will not allow any reconfiguration of the intersection until a proper, legal permit is obtained.

Horvath also informed the board the permitting and reconfiguration of the intersection will include significant financial investment by the township. He was told to revisit the situation and evaluate options for the board to consider.

In his police department report, police Chief Gary West noted there were 282 incidents during January. There were two arrests - one for aggravated assault and one for simple assault. He noted two cases were cleared and turned over to the county Children and Youth Services.

Jason Harhart gave his fire and ambulance report. In January, there were 27 calls, which included zero fires and three motor vehicle accidents. January saw 70 ambulance calls. For calendar year 2021, there were 369 fire department calls that included 41 fires and 54 motor vehicle accidents. In 2021, there were 856 ambulance calls.

Public works Director Craig Hoffman informed the supervisors there are a number of residents helping themselves to the township salt pile. This salt is for township use only and not for residents, he noted. One gentleman in attendance pointed out this has been “going on for about 20 years.”

A sign will be placed by the salt pile that the salt is for township use only and not for resident use. Violators will be prosecuted for theft of property.

In the First Regional Compost Authority report, the supervisors appointed Richard “Dick” Gable as the representative of the township to the authority.

Gable said the new fee schedule and other new information are on the authority’s website, frcaweb.org.

In another matter, Elias Miller, an Eagle Scout candidate, presented his project to erect an information board at the township’s recreation center. The project will be funded by the township’s disc golf group. The kiosk will be near the first tee at the disc golf course.

Veronica Laroche introduced herself to the supervisors as the new Northampton Area Public Library director. Laroche was the former Coplay Public Library director.

The next meeting of the Moore Township Board of Supervisors is 6 p.m. March 1 at the township municipal building, 2491 Community Drive. It is an in-person only meeting.