Sewage sludge resolution adopted in Lehigh Township

by Ruth Isenberg

Roy and Linda Christman from Towamensing Township attended the May 1 Lehigh Township Supervisors’ meeting to urge adoption of a resolution to give local governments the right to regulate the use of sludge. They provided information about potentially dangerous things humans have in their waste, including cancer drugs and PFAs (forever chemicals).

Allentown and Bethlehem are giving it away free to farms for fertilizer. Under PA law, townships cannot regulate the use of sludge, thanks to changes in the Right to Farm act passed in 1987, taking away right to regulate farm activities in any way.

“We’re not anti-farmer,”

Linda Christman said, noting farmers and their families are most likely to suffer the effects of longterm use of sludge on their fields.

Zoning officer Bob Selert commented that he personally would like to see a land grant university do a study on the subject to determine the actual level of danger use of sludge presents.

Roy Christman said that this resolution is open ended. If a township feels it should regulate, they should have that right. “You ought to be able to help your citizens,” Linda Christman said.

The supervisors voted in favor of the resolution.

An exemption from garbage collection bills for the first quarter was approved for Patricia Felker, who did not receive a bill until April 12 from Berkheimer. There was no garbage activity at the property the first quarter, and she intends to pay for the rest of the year.

The list of outstanding garbage fees, mostly in litigation and mostly the same party, totals about $30,000. Supervisors agreed on placing municipal liens on two properties that are supposed to be sold, taking no action on ones in litigation, and sending all the rest of them to the district justice.

The township will switch from Brown & Brown to Suitch as insurance agent of record.

Roadmaster Len Weston is planning to go look at the 2014 truck Foster Townhip recently replaced, a 550 heavy-duty diesel with plow and spreader.

The nuns at Village of Peace Monastery were told they can erect a gate to prevent unauthorized access to their property.

Resident Gary Heydt provided a list of power suppliers in addition to PPL, noting that he was receiving multiple bills at higher than previous amounts. Present were supervisors Larry Skinner and Weston; Pawel Fiolek was absent. The supervisors meet next on Monday, June 8, at 1 p.m.