At the Jan. 13 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting, a discussion was held on the recently installed Flock cameras in the township. In the agreement with Flock Safety last October, council decided to make a decision at the Feb. 19 council meeting on whether the cameras will remain permanently in the township.

The company was given permission at the Oct. 2, 2024, council meeting to install 12 cameras, located mostly on state roads in the township. Flock agreed to a 90-day trial period. By the ending of the 90-day period, council agreed to make final determination of keeping or removing the cameras.

The situation was controversial as council Chairman Bruce Paulus, although supporting the cameras and their success, objected to the cost of the cameras. His position was the township should not bare the total cost. He advocated that Pennsylvania State Police or the commonwealth assist in funding the cameras.

The vote at the Sept. 18, 2024, meeting deadlocked 2-2, with one council member absent. Council decided to revisit the discussion and hold a second vote when all five council members were present.

That vote was 3-2 to make a contract with Flock.

PSP-Troop M leaders and Flock Safety representatives attended the September meeting and strongly advocated for the cameras, citing examples of how it helps police track down suspected perpetrators of crime.

In other business, a public hearing was held for bill 2024-07, which, if approved, would establish a 10% penalty for the failure to pay any inspection or reinspection fees established under the fats, oils and grease ordinance, to provide for the collection of such fees and penalties by civil action and to make the permittee liable for the costs and collections.

Council authorized the sending of Councilmen Robert Lawler and Anthony Rossi and Vice President Robert Heimbecker to attend this year’s Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors convention in the spring. Council appointed Heimbecker as the township’s voting delegate at the conference.

Council authorized the second release and final payment in the amount of $11,366.68 to PIM Corporation for the 2024 sanitary sewer system manhole rehabilitation project.

Council members also approved the minutes of the Dec. 18, 2024, regular meeting and the Dec. 26, 2024, end-of-the-year meeting. Council approved the township bills to date through Jan. 13.

Council was expected to meet Feb. 5.

The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the township municipal building, 2202 Grove Road. It is an in-person-only meeting. Visit hanleco.org to review the agenda.