Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors discussed police staffing at its recent meeting. Police Chief Scott Fogel received approval to order the books and tests for officers to take the sergeant exam.

“It takes six to eight weeks to study,” he said.

He is hoping more people will apply for positions.

“We only have 12 on our roster. We need more officers,” Fogel added.

“I would like to see a breakdown of how much it costs for overtime verses a part-time officer,” Supervisor Janet Sheats said.

Supervisors also discussed the earned income tax referendum process for farmland and open space preservation.

“That would be 0.25% a year. We need more police officers instead,” Supervisor David Hess said.

Hess asked Officer John Ross, who was attending the meeting, how many times he was alone on shifts over the years.

“A lot in my almost 20 years,” Ross replied.

“It’s all about protecting the community and our officers,” Sheats said. “We need more police officers.”

In other business, the board approved an extension for recording to Lehigh Township Municipal Authority Pennsville Booster Station until Dec. 31 for the wastewater treatment plant and Northern Lehigh School District to use Bryfogle baseball fields starting March 18 while school fields are being upgraded.

Fire Chief Rich Hildebrand reported 50 calls for the month of January. He attended a meeting in Harrisburg about the wildfire on Blue Mountain in Lehigh Township. He plans to have a round table meeting with all fire companies that were involved with the firefighting to share with them the information from Harrisburg. The final report of the fire is not yet complete.

Lehigh Township Fire Company was awarded a state grant of $16,322.

Also at the meeting, it was announced payment number three to Pine Run Construction of $22,150 for fuel tank station occurred.

Supervisors did not approve a change order of $11,722.92 because the invoice did not show a breakdown of things done, and the board felt part of that amount was already paid in the original contract.