Councilman Rick Tocci announced his resignation, effective immediately, during the April 6 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting.

The councilman made the announcement at the end of the meeting, citing a busy family life and “increasing disillusionment and disagreement” with the council and township manager as an explanation for his sudden departure. Tocci expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and thanked all township personnel for their work.

Tocci was a major advocate of Resolution 2022-27, which aims to amend the Han-Le-Co purchasing policy for the township fire company. The township offers a matching fund of up to $15,000 the fire company can obtain, but the check for this year was held back due to a lack of proper paperwork, according to township Manager Melissa Wehr.

By amending the purchasing policy’s language, the money involved would be categorized solely as a matched fund, and the only pre-requirement needed to obtain the check would be proof of raised donations the township would be matching.

This resolution has been tabled twice and up for discussion since the end of last year. Council amended the resolution one final time during the meeting to exclude certain words and strictly call this situation a “contribution or matched fund.” The resolution was then unanimously passed, which was something Tocci hoped to accomplish before his departure.

In other business, township Engineer Al Kortze announced the bids for the Allendale sewer infrastructure line upgrades have been opened and have received multiple inquiries. He was to be present the bids at the April 20 meeting.

Council approved Resolution 2022-28, which gave land development approval to Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority for the runway rehabilitation program. A representative for the airport stated they will be expanding runways and making some minor improvements.

Council wrapped up the meeting by voting to acknowledge township resident Mark Thomas for the Small Town Volunteer Award. Wehr and Vicky Roth, township clerk, sent in a nomination to a nationwide contest, but unfortunately, Thomas’ nomination did not make it into the running. This is an acknowledgment coming from council and township officials of Thomas’ major contributions to recreation and the planning commission.