40¢
71st Year, Issue No. 19 USPS 248-700
MAY 10-16, 2012 A General Circulation Newspaper Serving The Community Since 1942
SERVING BATH, CHAPMAN, NORTHAMPTON, NAZARETH BOROS; ALLEN, E. ALLEN, MOORE, LEHIGH, BUSHKILL, LOWER NAZARETH & UPPER NAZARETH TWPS.
Social club gives $1,500 for Bath’s 275th anniversary; Borough has new manager By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
$1,500 CHECK was presented (at right) by Bath Fire Co. Social Club president Jim Pasquariello to Fi Mirabito, Barry Fenstermaker and Viola Wesner for Bath’s 275th anniversary. – Home News photo
Properties discussed at Moore Twsp. Supervisors meeting By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Two issues concerning properties in Moore Township were referred to the Farmland Preservation Committee for their next meeting, after proposals were brought to the Board of Supervisors by Kent Baird of Wildlands Conservancy at their May 1 meeting. Before discussing the lands of John Kostenbader and Dr. Joseph Chiavone, Baird noted that 48,000-plus acres have been protected, most of it along Kittatinny Ridge. The Kostenbader property is at the headwaters of the Bushkill Creek and is a link to the Blue Mountain, Baird said. Appraised at $98,000, he said 50% of the appraised value would have to come from Moore Township and the
INSIDE THIS WEEK: Food Drive .................. 5 Miller Receives Award .... 7 Police Blotter ............. 10 Classifieds.................. 14
other 50% from Northampton County. He noted several favorable categories of the land for preserving it, but that it is landlocked to a degree. Wetlands on the property include an unnamed stream. Baird told the board that he would need a letter in support of a resolution to the county. But Supervisors Chairman David Tashner said that according to township policy, the proposal must go to Farmland and Open Space. The question of ranking was also raised, with the belief that it should have come from the township bodies, even though Baird said he did it himself. The Chiavone property was cited for a conservation easement, and has more woodland and vegetative habitat. The majority of the property is farmland and natural area, and Baird said an easement would protect the quality of the Bushkill Creek. Supervisors Secretary Richard Gable noted that Dr. Chiavone has applied for ag security, and he doesn’t think the township should put out $174,000, and should be all with the county.
Bath’s 275th Anniversary Committee received a big financial boost on Monday as they work on events that will be celebrated in the coming months of 2012. Jim Pasquariello, president, presented a check for $1,500 from the Bath Fire Co. Social Club. It was given at the monthly meeting of Bath Borough Council to Fiorella Mirabito and Barry Fenstermaker, co-chairmen of the anniversary, and Viola Wesner of the committee. Fenstermaker invited members of Council to participate in the August 18th parade. He said the parade route has been confirmed. In addition, four bands have signed on to participate in the parade: Woodland String Band of Philadelphia, Emmaus Sentinel Drum & Bugle Corps, Northampton High School Big “N” Band, and Allentown Hobo Band. There is a possibility that two more bands will be in the parade, Fenstermaker said. Solicitor Blake Marles is working on getting liability insurance coverage for fireworks during anniversary week. The donation to the anniversary was the second large donation made recently by the fire company social club. Earlier, they gave $1,000 for the gazebo at Keystone Park. Councilman John Kearns on Monday said volunteer labor will be needed for the gazebo, but plans for the structure are
“moving along pretty good,” including financially, but additional money is welcome. New Boro Manager In two motions, Council approved the hiring of Thomas Petrucci as the new borough manager, appointing him to that post as well as serving as secretary and treasurer and other positions for the Borough of Bath. Petrucci had worked almost a year for Doylestown Township in Bucks County on special projects. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree he earned at Villanova University. In his new post, Petrucci said he will commute daily from his home in Bucks County, just 15 minutes from here. Before going into executive session on Monday, Council took a break and invited everyone to enjoy a cake decorated with the words, “Welcome Tom, Thank You Gerald.” Earlier in the meeting, Council accepted the resignation of Gerald Gazda as interim borough manager, effective May 11. He had served as interim for eight months and spent last week with Petrucci in helping him with the transition. Gazda was present on Monday. Other Matters • Councilman Kearns reported on a brochure being printed listing local businesses and points of interest about Bath. He said Petrucci
The property falls into the jurisdiction of farmland and open space. In answer to John Becker of the Planning Commission, a conservation easement would allow hunting on the property, but only by permission. Other Business • Two resolutions were approved, providing ag security for 33.78 acres owned by Robert Bealer and 35.9 acres owned by Warren Walker. • Approval was given to three farmland purchases: Joseph Cencsits, Koronya family trust, and Stephen and ColContinued on page 3 leen Mitch. • Engineer Al Kortze said there was a question of $55,000 for infiltration fees for Countryside Manor for perpetual maintenance of the storm water system. Under a township ordinance it could amount to $63,000 for 11 structures in the development that have worked fine for six years. The question of reducing the infiltration fee to $43,000 was suggested, and Kortze will check further. • The sewage planning module for Dusty Easton was okayed. • Supervisors approved the request of Boy Scout Troop 50 to use the public works garage for their 41st annual auction on Monday, June 11. • Under recreation, the board told Sterling Laubach they would need to know the cost before approving purchase of a water heater for the baseball stand; he announced BATH BOROUGH Council president Robert Fields welcomes Tom Petrucci as the new borough manager. – Home News photo Continued on page 13