At the March 1 Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting, the board tabled the effort to have township Solicitor David Backenstoe investigate and develop an agritainment and agritourism ordinance.

This effort’s premise is to allow township farmers to develop a second income stream. Activities could include a farm animal petting zoo, picking strawberries and pumpkins, holding weddings on the farm and perhaps adding a winery.

At February’s supervisors meeting, the plan created some division between the zoning hearing board and planning commission leaders. One expressed the importance of regulating nonfarm activities, while another leader complained he does not want to see township farmers pay excessive permit fees for any agritainment they might engage.

Reached after the meeting, township Manager Nicholas Steiner said Backenstoe may continue to research the agritainment and agritourism opportunities.

Backenstoe also initiated a bio solids conversation at the meeting. Bio solids are a complex product made from many different waste sources, including wastewater treatment that includes human feces.

Bio solids may be defined as organic wastewater solids that can be reused after suitable sludge treatment processes that lead to sludge stabilization, such as anaerobic digestion and composting.

An issue with bio solid processing is the odor generated by the plant, which has raised objections from neighbors who reside near the bio solids processing operation.

Backenstoe wants to research bio solid regulations, so officials can better manage any effort to develop bio solids processing in the township.

Township Engineer Kevin Horvath reported his recommendation to the supervisors to increase signage at the Pool Road and Pheasant Drive intersection. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would have to evaluate and approve the signage.

Steiner also reported by working with Horvath, a Moore Township road plan will be developed.

Steiner said there will be a workshop meeting in April to address a road plan. He said the goal is to assess the roads in Moore Township and develop a prioritized list of road repairs.

“The plan is to get the best bang for the buck as we improve Moore Township roads,” Steiner said.

Supervisors approved the purchase of a Bob Cat skid loader at a cost of about $89,000. A skid loader is a multipurpose, small-construction vehicle.

The public works department is planning to sweep streets for a two-week period in April. Visit mooretownship.org for the street-sweeping dates.

The recreation committee plans to have all sport fields at the recreation center treated for weeds, crabgrass and grubs by BetterScapes.

The committee also plans to hire two seasonal workers for the recreation center. Contact Steiner to apply.

In his manager’s report, Steiner said there is interest in hiring a consultant to evaluate the current municipal building to make recommendations to either renovate the building or replace it.

Steiner also recommended the township enter an agreement with Positive Pay that will verify checks paid to the township. The monthly fee for Positive Pay is about $50/month.

Positive Pay is an automated cash management service used by financial institutions employed to deter check fraud. Any check considered suspect would be returned to the township office for examination.

The township applied for a grant with East Allen Township to purchase and share a paver and its trailer. The grant request is $290,000. The paver would be stored at Moore Township for both townships to use.

The next supervisors meeting is 6 p.m. May 3 at the municipal building, 2491 Community Drive.