At the Nov. 15 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting, council passed ordinance 647, adopting the 2024 budget. Council Chairman Bruce Paulus reported it is a no-tax-hike plan.

Council also approved a bid award to Stonewood Landshaping Inc. in the amount of $264,462 for the township MS4 stormwater project. The bid was accepted, pending engineer review and approval. There were six bids offered for the project, and Stonewood provided the lowest bid.

Stonewood Landshaping Inc. is located in Zionsville. Stonewood is a veteran owned, specialty contractor that provides numerous services including, but not limited to, stormwater management, site development and commercial-sized retaining walls.

Council also passed resolution 2023-47 that adopts budget amendments. Resolution 2023-48 was approved that adopts the amendments to the five-year capital plan for 2024-28.

A resolution requesting a statewide local assessment grant through the Commonwealth Financial Authority was council approved to undertake the Sherwood Park pickleball and basketball court improvements. The requested amount is $336,059.10. If the grant is awarded, the plan is to install two pickleball courts and relocate the full-sized basketball court.

The grant, if the township is successful in its request, is expected to be awarded in early 2024.

Pickleball continues to grow in popularity nationwide. Visit usapickleball.org for information about the game and how to play it. All resolutions and ordinances are available for review by contacting the township office.

Josef Fragnito, public works director, said leaf pickup in the township will continue through mid-December. He added his team is beginning to prepare salt reserves for winter.

Township Engineer Al Kortze reported the Catasauqua Road signal and the sanitary sewer project “are substantially complete and should wrap up in December.”

Township Manager Melissa Wehr noted the Toys For Tots donation box will be located in the township municipal building, 2202 Grove Road, until Dec. 15.

She also announced Sanctuary at Haafsville will no longer pick up stray cats or dogs for the township. The Sanctuary, located at 901 Nestle Way, Breinigsville, has reached capacity at the facility. Wehr is seeking an alternative organization to replace Sanctuary.

Visit thesanctuarypa.org to adopt a dog or cat, volunteer or donate.

It was noted the township continues to seek a code enforcement officer. Contact the township office for information or to apply.

A tribute video was played during the meeting honoring the United States armed forces and township veterans in honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The next meeting of Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council is 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the municipal building.