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AUGUST 3-9, 2023
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Allen Township Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church in Supervisors review Bath celebrates 300th anniversary; Willowbrook Celebrations planned for fall Preliminary plan, Discuss East Bullshead Road concerns
By KERI LINDENMUTH During their July 25 meeting, the Allen Township Board of Supervisors heard from the project managers behind the proposed Willowbrook Farms subdivision plan. Among the agenda for discussion were sewer updates and fire safety access. The preliminary plan was approved by the township’s planning commission, but supervisors were not required to make any decision during their meeting. Instead, the presentation from the project management team was part of a larger exploratory conversation. This plan accounts for six parcels on the site of the former farm. The largest is owned by the Fuller Family Trust and the remaining five by Equus Development. Equus will develop townhomes on three parcels. The two remaining parcels will likely be sold by the developer or rented. The development will include an HOA that owns all internal sewer lines. However, project managers asked the township to take ownership of the main sewer line and interceptor. This is necessary for EPA approval so this is something supervisors will explore with their engineer. Supervisors were concerned that blockages in the internal lines could damage township-owned lines. Supervisors also expressed concern over the road widths in the development. Supervisor Dale Hassler, the township’s fire chief, said the roads are too narrow. “You just want to get more homes [in]...If something happens, it happens,” he said, lamenting developers who build as many homes as possible without concern for fire safety. To help aid fire access, developers said they would increase turn radii within the development. They also said they would add more hydrants.
Speeding on West Bullshead Road was also discussed. Developers were tasked with implementing trafficking calming measures into their plans. These measures included five raised crosswalks across the road and a center median. Developers said this will make the road feel more constricted and slow traffic. However, supervisors expressed concerns over the safety of the crosswalks. Hassler said adding sidewalks along the road and forcing pedestrians to cross at stoplights would be safer. Supervisor Gary Behler agreed. Developers will take these comments and concerns to their team for further discussion. In other news, supervisors discussed the walking path trestle stretching across East Bullshead Road. Numerous FedEx tractortrailers have hit this trestle or have gotten stuck beneath it. Trucks are not allowed on this road; however, most drivers, said Solicitor Lincoln Treadwell, are contractors who use their own GPS systems. Supervisors discussed several options, including removing the county-owned, 12-foot-high trestle and adding a crosswalk, or increasing its height. Behler was against removing the trestle for safety and principle reasons. “Why should walkers pay for the trucks’ faults?” he asked. Township Manager Ilene Eckhart and Engineer Stan Wojciechowski suggested adding a “pork chop” (raised island) at the intersection of Willowbrook and East Bullshead Road to prevent trucks from turning. However, supervisors worried trucks would either try to back up on Willowbrook Road and cause traffic hazards or enter East BullsContinued on page 2
By KERI LINDENMUTH Three hundred years ago, the United States had yet to be established. In 1723, there was still a lot of history to unfold within Northampton County and beyond. But Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church in Bath and its congregation would be there to see all of this history unfold: from the French & Indian War to the founding of the United States, from the Civil War to the invention of the automobile. This year marks a significant milestone for the church: its 300th anniversary. It’s a milestone not even many historic universities around the Lehigh Valley can claim. Emmanuel's (which means God is With Us) was founded by German immigrants from the Palatinate, a district in Southwestern Germany. According to
Ray Walker, the church’s unofficial historian, most of these immigrants were Pennsylvania Dutch. They came to Northamp-
ton County for the same reasons many like them came to the
Continued on page 6
Emmanuel’s Lutheran Church from above, taken by John Obrecht.
Lehigh Township Supervisors Move forward with Ordinances, police signs By LAURA KLOTZ The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors met on July 25 at 7 p.m. Elizabeth Amato of the Zoning Board presented her monthly report. In June they received 33 permit applications and issued 32 permits. A special meeting was held on June 29 regarding a multi-family apartment building, which was denied. Unless the interested party appeals this decision, the matter is regarded as closed. She also reminded everyone about the upcoming special meeting on Thursday, August 24 at the fire company regarding the proposed medical marijuana facility. Ground has been broken for the new maintenance building, and the supervisors received their first request for payment
from Bracy Construction for the purchase of materials. The architects reviewed the request for $64,112.40 and recommended that it be approved, which it was. In response to a query from the audience, it was clarified that payments are requested in phases based on what work has been completed. Township Manager Alice Rehrig presented the board with copies of two ordinances being updated. The first, ordinance 2023-2, needs an amendment pertaining to cluster developments. Specifically, the cluster developments will be allowed higher density as long as the developer provides more recreational space. The second, ordinance 2023-3, needs an amendment pertaining to the definitions of the terms ‘wholesale’ and ‘wholesale trades.’
Rehrig requested permission to advertise the ordinances for adoption once they have been favorably reviewed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and the board agreed to this. A memorandum of understanding was presented to the Teamsters Union with regard to the starting salary for new hires. The Teamsters accepted the terms, so the board likewise approved it. The police department had Continued on page 2
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