After much discussion about selling alcohol for consumption at a Community Days event later this summer, Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council has decided to approve the request.

Council was originally approached by members of the recreation commission, who explained the idea was to draw in a larger crowd.

Council members were hesitant to move forward due to concerns of liability from intoxication. The township manager and clerk approached the council again with a possible resolution that would take care of liability through a sponsored paid insurance policy, but council was still not willing to move forward.

During the June 15 meeting, the township manager and clerk proposed the idea to council again, explaining Pennsylvania State Police, Lehigh Valley International Airport Police and the HanLeCo Fire Company would be in attendance for security. In addition, the visiting brewery and winery would be the only vendors permitted to sell alcohol and would uphold their standard policy with identification checking and refusing to sell products to an overly intoxicated person.

Despite the information presented, Councilman Robert Heimbecker was not sold on the idea to sell alcohol for consumption at one of the township’s parks. On the other side, newly elected Councilman Anthony Rossi felt more comfortable about the idea with all of the additional security measures.

Rossi made the motion to move forward with the purchase of insurance for the Community Days event, with additional verbiage added by township Attorney Jackson Eaton that would require the vendors to provide a certificate of insurance naming the township as an additional insured. The motion was seconded by Vice Chairman Michael Woolley, and the vote passed 4-1.

More information on the vendors and setup is to come.

In other business, township Engineer Al Kortze confirmed the Chestnut Grove basketball court construction is in progress and the final pavement surface has been applied. It will still be a few more weeks until the seal coat can be added, but there are no concerns at this time.

Council also appointed Ian Stout, from Keystone Consulting, as an alternate sewage enforcement officer. The township engineer said Stout is a great candidate and would only be needed if the current officer was unable to attend a particular matter or event. The resolution passed with five votes.

Council will meet again 7:30 p.m. July 6 at the municipal building, 2202 Grove Road. Visit hanleco.org to view the agenda ahead of time.