OCTOBER 4-10, 2012 Your Local News
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Lehigh Twsp. Board of Supervisors Meeting, Page 9
The Home News homenewspa.com
Parking Regulations Ordinance Stirs Discussion at Bath Council By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
HELEN FISCHL cut the ribbon officially dedicating the shortterm rehabilitation unit, in which she was the first to be admitted. Standing at her right is County Executive John Stoffa. Several other dignitaries were in the ribbon-cutting line-up on Monday. – Home News photo
Ribbon Cut for Opening of Short Term Rehab at Gracedale
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
A ribbon cutting ceremony, sponsored by the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce, marked the dedication of a new short-term rehabilitation unit at Gracedale, the Northampton County Home, on Monday afternoon. The ceremonial ribbon was jointly cut by Helen Fischl, the first admission to the unit, and John Stoffa, Northampton County Executive, as they stood with a number of dignitaries. Millard D. Freeman, Gracedale Administrator, welcomed more than 50 persons present, noting that the opening of the unit is a “great milestone,” as the Southeast I section that was officially closed in August 16, 2011 has been re-opened “as a place to restore life and give people hope.” Stoffa noted that Gracedale is ideally located in the center of the county, and with the new rehab unit is providing “a very valuable service.” Robert F. Werner, a member of Northampton County Council, noted that it took eight months to make the change. He commended the staff as an “outstanding group
of people who care,” and remarked that the unit is a “a new era of stewardship at one of the finest facilities in the Lehigh Valley.” Tina Smith, president of the Nazareth Chamber, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced a number of local dignitaries. They noted their thanks for building a facility in Northampton County, making it a better place to live. Background Faced with a dwindling census at Gracedale, residents of Southeast-I were relocated through the vast facility in Upper Nazareth Township last year. The administrators completed an operational assessment, in which they planned to re-open SE-I as a 26-bed short-term rehabilitation unit and converting one of the four-bed rooms to a satellite therapy gym to enhance the rehabilitation process. Adjacent to the short-term unit is long-term and respite care. STR offers quick admissions seven days a week with 24-hour visiting. Benefits include Wi-Fi, on-staff pastor, hospice care, local trips for Continued on page 16
Bath Borough Council on Monday had a long discussion over proposed parking regulations, where there should be parking and where it will be restricted, and on one side or the other of certain downtown streets. It is intended to make it easier to park making it better for business. Solicitor Blake Marles will draft the ordinance and it will be advertised so people know what is ahead. Council also has a proposed parking lot ordinance, and Borough Manager Tom Petrucci will prepare those words for advertising. Another discussion was what to do with a propery the borough owns at 224 W. Main Street. Proposals that came up were to demolish it
for open space and combine that with a walking trail; clean up the building and convert it into a visitors center; or just tear it down for a parking lot (which would also need landscaping to suit the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Resources, who would provide a $46,000 matching grant.) Councilman Mike Reph said the building was originally purchased to tie in with a Rails-to-Trails project that would include an area where once was a railroad bridge. Other Matters • Jeff Buffington of Old Forge Drive complained of urine odors from a neighbor’s home where there are three cats and five dogs that the elderly residents have in the house. Petrucci, zoning officer Dennis Huth and Colonial Regional Police responded to the problem, but Petrucci
said there is nothing in a local ordinance that deals with smells from a home. Council president Robert Fields said a state health inspector could deal with the problem. • Jim Morgan of 208 S. Walnut St. told Council he wants to put siding on his home, but was told it is in an historic district. He said that paperwork in meeting with the Historic Architectural Review Board to get approval would delay the project. He said he and his wife have saved up in order to afford putting white siding and blue shutters on the home to restore it to its former beauty. Council voted to approve the work now. • Clark Smith questioned about the 241 E. Main St. property that is on hold by a bank. He said he has a water problem from drainage off the Continued on page 7
Bath Community Day This Saturday The 7th annual Bath Community Day will be held this Saturday October 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Keystone Park in Bath. Sponsored by The Bath Business & Community Partnership, Community Day has been put together for the young folks, as well as the ‘young at heart!’ Children’s events, live music, food and fun are scheduled for the day. Plenty of crafters and busi-
ness vendors will be there. For food lovers, there will be plenty to choose from - barbecue and hot dogs, peach cobbler and more. For those who would rather just kick back and relax, bring a chair (don’t forget a blanket) and stay a while to enjoy the live bands and entertainment. The Bath Farmers Market and BBCP volunteers have just about completed the new gazebo at the park. An offi-
cial dedication will happen at 1 p.m. So be sure to stop by and meet those volunteers who have been working hard to complete this project. Also be sure to stop by the BBCP tent for more information on volunteering in your community as well as the opportunity to pick from the lucky ducky pond to win prizes. For more information, please visit www.bathborough.org.
The End of Another Season
By ALICE WANAMAKER The Home News
The Bath Farmers Market ended their fourth season in operation at Keystone Park last Friday with a promise to return next year and continue offering fresh, local produce all summer. Throughout the year, vendors sold their seasonal vegetables and fruits including herbs, sweet corn, tomatoes, strawberries and, fall favorite, apples. But the Bath Farmers Market is much more than fresh produce. Continued on page 16
INDEX:
KEYSTONE PARK GAZEBO will be dedicted this Saturday. Northampton.................9
Pa. Voter ID....................3
Nazareth . ....................10
Sports............................6
Church .........................11
Bath...............................7
Obituaries ...................12
Senior Citizens...............8
Classifieds ...................14
71st Year, Issue No. 40
USPS 248-700