During the Dec. 21 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, council meeting, township Manager Melissa Wehr approached the board for authorization regarding the lease agreement with Two-Way Tower for the public works department’s radio system.

Council had concerns about the yearly charge of $1,200 and wanted to know if there were any alternatives.

Wehr contacted Lehigh Valley International Airport to see if the radio antenna could be stationed at the airport, but the request was denied.She also asked if the airport would have concerns if the township put the antenna on top of the township building. The airport also denied that request due to possible signal interference.

Council member Robert Heimbecker still believes alternative methods could be found and was not willing to pay the yearly fee.

Since the radio antenna was already relocated to Two-Way Tower, council agreed to approve the lease for one year. Alternative methods will be looked into for the future.

In other business, Wehr discussed the River Central multimunicipal plan.

She noted the River Central plan is moving forward and will be before the township’s planning commission in January and before council in February. Wehr said the entire plan is available online.

Wehr also mentioned the first round of bids for the Catasauqua Road at Valley Plaza project will go live Feb. 1. More information is to come.

Township Attorney Jackson Eaton discussed a formal complaint filed by the township against a driver responsible for a hazardous materials cleanup back in early 2021. The accident occurred on Postal Road and the township’s fire department responded to clean up a fuel spill. The job required outside assistance. The state police found the driver responsible for the accident, making the driver also responsible for the fuel cleanup cost.

Although invoices have been sent on numerous occasions, no response or payment has been received. The township moved forward with filing a formal complaint with the courthouse. Eaton also discussed resolution 2022-49 and its aim to implement Act 57 of 2022, which concerns property tax waiver provisions.

Eaton said council is required by the state to pass this resolution. He mentioned some future litigations may arise against Act 57 due to its confusing verbiage. The intention is to make homebuyers aware of any outstanding tax bills that may be on a property from previous sellers, as the seller may be responsible for a portion of the payment.

Although this information may appear through title search, this process is not necessarily required when purchasing a home. The intention of Act 57 is to remedy any miscommunication regarding outstanding debts to the buyer.

Eaton explained he is working with the township clerk to possibly develop the township’s own form and is trying to address the confusing verbiage of the state form.

Township Engineer Al Kortze requested authorization to extend the Allendale sewer contract for ongoing work. The extension concerns the timeline only and will have no change in the cost of the project. Kortze said the project was moving more slowly than expected due to unmarked utility lines and working in a tight space.

The council approved the request and the contract will be extended into 2023 for the finishing touches, such as sealing the pipes and checking over the work.

Council was expected to meet Dec. 28 to approve a final round of bills for 2022.