Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council met with the township’s new auditor, Campbell, Rappold and Yurasits, LLP, through Paul Mack, CR&Y manager, during the June 1 meeting.

The first-year audit report is under review by the township manager and clerk. Mack mentioned the report came out clean, but more information is to come.

Former auditor Al France said he was leaving the township in good hands. France served the township for several decades but recently retired. The council showed gratitude for his years of dedication and wished him well.

Township Engineer Al Kortze reported the construction of the Chestnut Grove basketball court is underway. The post beams will be installed shortly, but the nets will remain uninstalled while the material settles. Construction is projected to be completed sometime this month.

Council discussed the sale of alcohol for consumption at the township’s Community Day, set for Aug. 23, with a rain date of Aug. 24, at Canal Park. Council has had concerns surrounding liability.

The township clerk presented the idea of the township purchasing an insurance policy that would provide coverage for accidents relating to intoxication. The cost for the policy would be around $750. She added it would be paid for through sponsorship, not the board’s budget.

The council was still hesitant to move forward due to concerns about safety. The matter was tabled again and will be discussed when more information surrounding security, identification monitoring and liability has been covered.

The meeting closed with Resolution 2022-36, which requests an application submission for a multimodal transportation fund grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

The request originated from the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, which is looking to partner with the township to fix up local parts of the D&L trail.

Elizabeth Rosencrans, trail and stewardship manager of the DLNHC, was present to discuss the application process and intentions of funds during the discussion of the resolution. The organization is currently performing an Allentown area trail study and intends to utilize this material to apply for the grant.

The grant does not require a matched fund and will cost $100 for the application fee. Funds will be used to spruce up the existing trail in the township’s jurisdiction and will add a street crossing at Dauphin Street.

The resolution unanimously passed, allowing Rosencrans to begin the application process.

Council will meet again 7:30 p.m. June 15 at the municipal building, 2202 Grove Road. Visit hanleco.org to view the agenda.