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

The Flock Safety Company was given council permission Oct. 2 o install 12 cameras located mostly on PA 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 whether to keep or remove the cameras.

The situation was controversial, as Council Chair Bruce Paulus, although supporting the cameras and their success, objected to the cost of the cameras and his position was that Hanover should not bear the total cost. He advocated the PA State Police or the Commonwealth assist in funding the cameras.

The vote at the Sept. 18council meeting deadlocked 2-2 with one council member absent thereby rejecting the cameras. Council then decided to revisit the situation and hold a second vote when all five council members were present. That vote was 3-2 to contract with Flock.

PA State Police Troop M leaders and Flock Safety representatives attended the September meeting and strongly advocated for the cameras, citing examples of how they help police track down suspected perpetrators of crime.

A public hearing was held for Bill No. 2024-07, which if approved would establish a 10 percent penalty for failure to pay when due any inspection or re-inspection 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 permitted liable for the costs and collections.

Council authorized sending council members Robert Lawler, Anthony Rossi and council vice president Robert Heimbecker to attend the 2025 PA State Association of Township Supervisors convention this spring. And council appointed Heimbecker as the township’s voting delegate at the conference.

Council authorized the Release #2 and Final Payment in the amount of $11,366.68 to PIM Corporation for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer System Manhole Rehabilitation Project.

Council also approved the minutes of the Dec. 18, 2024 regular council meeting and the Dec. 26, 2024 End of the Year Meeting held Dec. 26, 2024. Council also approved the township bills to date Jan. 13, 2025.