The long-awaited draft of the River Central Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan was adopted by Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council at its Aug. 2 meeting. The township is the first of the five municipalities that comprise River Central to adopt the plan.

The five River Central entities are Hanover (Lehigh County) and East Allen townships and Catasauqua, North Catasauqua and Northampton boroughs. Goals of the plan include fostering increased cooperation between the five municipalities to ensure coordinated economic development and to facilitate growth and help control costs. The plan can be viewed at planrivercentral.org.

Resolution 2023-41 was approved by council to adopt the plan. The adopted resolution was preceded by a brief public hearing to have a final discussion of the plan.

In other business, township Manager Melissa Wehr said the Sherwood Park playground equipment has been installed. The upgrade costs more than $200,000. Wehr noted pavilion rentals at the park have increased since the installation of the new equipment.

“Rentals at the park are up because the kids like to play on the new equipment,” Wehr said.

Sherwood Park, 1915 Sherwood St., boasts one baseball/softball field, two tennis courts, two basketball courts, a tot playground, a play area for all ages, a pavilion area that can accommodate a party up to 100 individuals, two accessible portable toilets during summer only and electricity.

To reserve the pavilion, visit hanleco.org/sherwood.html or call the township office.

Wehr commented on the expansion of the Lehigh Valley International Airport security areas. The funding reportedly was provided by the 2021 U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Wehr also noted the township’s Community Night is scheduled for 4-7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at Canal Park, 1960 Dauphin St.

Wehr reported the township received a thank-you note from the Public Library of Catasauqua for a $7,000 donation.

Council also adopted three more resolutions. Resolution 2023-42 appointed Sharon Steitz to the planning commission, filling the vacancy due to a recent resignation. Resolution 2023-43 appointed Jason Engleman to the planning commission, and resolution 2023-44 adopted the capital budget for 2024-28.

The next Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at the municipal building, 2202 Grove Road. It is an in-person meeting only.