Bethlehem Township Manager Doug Bruce received board approval April 15 to advertise an ordinance amending Chapter 131, Fire Prevention, of the township’s Code of Codified Ordinances in favor of adopting the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code.

The township will be applying for a $2 million grant for the Johnston Mansion interior renovation project, under the COVID-19 ARPA Pa. Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program.

The grant is part of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development ,with $45 million earmarked for community projects across the state. Applications were due by April 22, and can range from $250,000 to $2 million.

The “Archie Project” was founded in 2018 as a nonprofit organization to raise funds to restore the Johnston Mansion, located in Housenick Park.

Also discussed were revised definitions of “Unlawful Acts” and “Violations Penalties,” among the changes reflected in the new amendments. All previous IFC-related ordinances were repealed.

IFC is a set of standard fire safety requirements for new and existing buildings.

Commissioners also approved the release of Security Certificate #2 of $260,412.35 for the future Wawa at 3608 Nazareth Pike, after it passed inspection by township engineers.

There remains a balance of $39,974.00 in securities.