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JUNE 26-JULY 2, 2025
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Lehigh Township residents hear Photo of the Month Pitch for local open space land Preservation program By SAVANNAH BROWN With sprawling development encroaching on the township's rural character, residents gathered at Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Company on Wednesday, June 18 to hear a compelling presentation on the establishment of a township open space land preservation program. Michael Hock, a Lehigh Township resident and preserve manager at the Wildlands Conservancy, detailed how a voter-approved open space preservation program could permanently protect farmland, forests and other natural resources across the community. The meeting was held to raise awareness and build public support for placing an open space land preservation referendum on
an upcoming ballot. If approved, clean air and water. In the face of the program would enable Le- development pressures, preservhigh Township to safeguard un- ing land will help maintain rural developed land such as forests, character, environment and commeadows, wetlands, floodplains munity well-being. and farms from being lost to rapThe key difference between id development. county farmland preservation and Hock explained that preserving municipal open space programs land ultimately saves the town- lies in their focus, eligibility and ship money, protects natural re- flexibility. County farmland sources and enhances quality of preservation is strictly focused life. Unlike residential develop- on protecting high-quality agment, which increases costs for ricultural land. It has stringent services like roads, schools and eligibility criteria such as miniemergency response, preserved mum acreage, specific soil types open spaces reduce financial bur- and other qualifications, which dens and help avoid future tax makes it highly competitive. As hikes. a result, many Lehigh Township Land preservation also boosts farms do not rank highly enough nearby property values, promotes to qualify. health and recreation, supports local farmers and safeguards Continued on page 6
Northampton School Board “The greatest way to spend the day: kayaking on the lake,” by Liza Harvilla Adopts final 2025-26 budget Pictured is Lake Galena, a reservoir in Peace Valley Park, Doylestown. With 4% tax increase; approves Northampton Borough Court mediated resolution Council bids farewell To junior council Member
By SAVANNAH BROWN At its Monday, June 16 meeting, the Northampton Area School Board tackled a wide range of business, from approv-
Inside this week’s issue s The Home New
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ing the 2025–26 final budget to outlining the next steps for the upcoming East Allen Elementary School and Education Center, currently on track to open in time for the 2026–27 academic year. Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik announced that the district is still finalizing a redistricting plan to accommodate the new school and closure of Moore Elementary, pledging that parents will be notified by Thanksgiving, which will give them almost a year to plan for changes. An interactive map will be provided to help families determine which school their children will attend during the 2026-27 school year. Additionally, the board is expected to vote in July on the official closure of four buildings: Washington Technology Center, Franklin Elementary School,
Moore Elementary School and the District Administration Building. Of these, all but Moore are expected to be sold. Although there was no updated budget presentation, the board approved the 2025–26 General Fund Budget totaling $140,659,873 by a narrow 5-4 vote. The budget includes a 4% real estate tax increase. The tax levy also maintains existing rates for per capita, real estate transfer and earned income taxes. Vice President Kristin Soldridge and directors Nathan Lichtenwalner, Brian McCulloch and Josh Harris opposed the motion. Also under finances, the board set athletic ticket prices for the upcoming year: $3 for students, $5 for adults and free for seniors aged 62 and older. That vote Continued on page 5
By KERI LINDENMUTH “Your involvement, your volJunior Council Representa- unteerism and your selflessness tive Mason Smolenak may have at jumping into projects has been only served two years on the well noted,” Mayor Tony Pristash Northampton Borough Council, told Smolenak before presenting but the graduating high school him with a proclamation for his senior has left quite an impres- distinguished service to the Borsion. There were laughs, praise ough of Northampton and its citand a surprise declaration as council bid Smolenak farewell Continued on page 2 during their meeting on June 19. Smolenack represented 84th Year, Issue No. 26 Northampton Area High School www.homenewspa.com students as a junior member of council, serving both his junior and senior years. During his term, he played a pivotal role in spearheading the online Hometown Heroes social media campaign. USPS 248-700
45 Years