By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

After the meeting was called to order, a motion was made to approve the minutes from the supervisors organizational meeting of Jan. 3.

Solicitor Lisa Young attended via Zoom.

For the treasurer’s report, she said balances as of Dec. 31, 2021, were $12,655,187.67 for total fund receipts, $248,512.52 for total and expenses across all funds were $451,538.55, which leaves balances as of Jan. 31 as $12,452,161.64.

She also mentioned a disbursement of check and made a motion, and it was approved.

Next there was some old business about a resident who requested a reduction previously of sewer charges.

There was a leaky toilet, and they requested a reduction of $700 for a $1,400 bill.

They recently moved into the home and were not aware of the issue until the bill came.

A motion was made to reimburse $560.12 which is the difference between their cost and the cost to the township.

Approval was given to a preliminary/final plan for Follweiler/Frey Lot Line Adjustment.

Next was resolution 02-07-2022 Deputy Tax Collector.

Jonathan Kubenitski was appointed.

There was some discussion of this, but in case something happened to the tax collector, the deputy tax collector can step in.

The deputy tax collector falls under the tax collected bond.

There was a motion to release the legal and escrow funds for Daniel Loch et al.

There was an authorization to advertise for the Route 309 turning lane construction bid.

Chris Garges, township manager said,

“Everything’s basically been taken care of it’s just paperwork.”

A development called Greenleaf Fields at Parkland LLC requested an extension of time.

Young suggested she felt the extension was for more time for the planning board to review the plan.

The next item on the agenda was Hicapie Bicycle Ride which is in partnership with Discover Lehigh Valley are hosting a bicycle ride on June 4.

A portion of this ride will take place in the township and they’re requesting the use of the township fire and police.

The cycling event is intended to improve the sport, to make it more accessible to others, and to build a stronger community for future cyclists.

There was an affirmation of Ironton Rail Trail committee members. The board was looking for a motion to affirm the appointment of the following alternates to the Ironton Rail Trail committee, Rod Wheeler, Carl Gilpin and Mark Hills. There was an authorization to distribute budget allocations, a motion was made to authorize the treasurer to distribute the 2022 budgeted allocations.

There was a discussion about Johnson ponds winter activities and authorization to amend the ordinance.

Garges said, “The question that was posed to the township was if there were any insurance liabilities or any issues with that use. The township had previously been installing a sign each year that basically notified users that they were using the frozen pond at their own risk.”

There was a second question as to whether to secure additional insurance if the township would allow the frozen pond to be used.

The board will discuss this at a later meeting when they have all the insurance numbers to review. No change to the ordinance currently.

The next item on the agenda was an authorization to obtain a real estate appraisal.

The details were not disclosed, but it was for farmland preservation.

Finally, there was the manager’s report and the solicitor’s report.

There was an update to the American Rescue Plan.

Garges said, “The U.S. Treasury released the final rule on the American rescue plan act of 2021. That final rule significantly opened the allowable usage for the funds, but they were previously restricted to storm sewer projects, water projects. This has basically opened it up to anything but pension payments and paying loans off. So, the next step with this is to prepare a draft plan for use of the funds now that we know exactly what we can use them for.”

There was an update to the South Whitehall, Upper Macungie and North Whitehall township summer youth program.

Garges said, “We’re in the process of preparing a resolution that would outline the one-year trial period for this with the three municipalities. We anticipate that would be ready for the March 7 meeting. Sign-ups would then open up shortly thereafter.”

A North Whitehall Township, Wildlands Conservancy and Lehigh County Conservation District Shady Lane update was given that the township met with the Wildlands to discuss grant preparation for a drainage project on Woodlea Road and Shady Lane.

Another item was the PennDOT meeting regarding the Route 309 Betterment Project.

This is from Huckleberry Road in South Whitehall Township up through Shankweiler Road and adding turning lanes and widening road shoulders.

The township is in the process of rescheduling this meeting.

There was a Portnoff collection update.

They collect delinquent real estate and sewer for the township.

Finally, the Geigers Covered Bridge on Old Packhouse Road closed for repairs on Jan. 24.

A detour is posted, and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2022.