At its April 20 meeting, Northampton County Council voted 6-3 to override County Executive Lamont McClure’s veto of a LERTA renewal in Upper Mount Bethel Township.

Council approved the motion at its April 6 meeting, with McClure issuing a veto April 11. Council’s vote extended the LERTA tax breaks until Dec. 31, 2027.

McClure asked council to at least table the motion to allow him and River Pointe Developer Lou Pektor to negotiate LERTA terms to limit tax breaks to manufacturing.

Township residents urged council at its last meeting not to renew, and they came out once again to ask council not to override the veto.

Charles Cole, an Upper Mount Bethel Township resident, presented council with a variety of news articles discussing the pollution, water and air quality and increased truck traffic in the Lehigh Valley.

At council’s last meeting, Cole said approval of the motion would violate the LERTA law, as the property in question is largely woodlands.

Plainfield Township resident Don Moore suggested council approve John Cusick’s amendment only allowing tax breaks on industrial areas.

Council voted 6-3 to override the veto. Councilmembers Cusick, Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski voted against the override.

This motion followed a proclamation declaring April 23-29 as Conservation District Week. Pennsylvania conservation districts were created in 1950 and are dedicated to preserving soil and water quality, as well as promoting environmental education.