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DECEMBER 11-17, 2014 Your Local News
Our Best Friends Have Hairy Legs!
The scoop on pets and the holidays, Page 8
The Home News
Moore Township budget Approved with no tax hike by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Northampton County may be considering a 9% increase in taxes, but there was good news for Moore Township property owners this past Tuesday, Dec. 2. The Board of Supervisors gave final approval to the 2015 budget amounting to $3,479,146 and there will be no increase in taxes. They will remain at three mills. Secretary-treasurer Richard Gable said it was possible because the supervisors watch their spending. As an example, the board voted to purchase two used police cars this year, saving the township from having to buy two new cars in 2015. They re-did health insurance coverage with a Blue Cross subsidiary called Denecom. The supervisors are also looking to go into a group called Brown & Brown for liability insurance, which would save the township 5% for the year. Other Business • Approval was given to the Northampton Lacrosse Club’s U 11-15 team to play games at
the Moore Township Recreation Center at a charge of $350 a year. • Action was taken to put Sunny Slope Farms into farmland preservation. • The supervisors passed a resolution supporting a grant to Chapman Quarries for an emergency generator. If needed, the township would be allowed to use it as well. • Deeds of dedication for Mountain Valley Estates were also approved in a resolution. Reports The Moore Township Police Department report for November by Chief Gary West showed 318 total incidents; 57 warning /verbal and written notices of violation; 15 traffic citations; 3 arrests; 4 reportable and 9 nonreportable accidents. Jason Harhart, Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Co. fire recorder, had this report for November: 22 fire calls using 151 man-hours. The fire company also had 78 ambulance calls, using 312 manhours. The firefighters participated in 144 man-hours of fire training.
Yule Lights in Jacksonville
The lights of Christmas are shown in all their glory at this home in the village of Jacksonville, south of Bath. The view here is just a small portion of the massive display that covers the yard and home.
34th Christmas house tour Held by Gov. Wolf historians
Antique steam-driven tractor. by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Despite an all-day rain that started minutes after it began, the 34th annual Christmas House Tour of the Governor Wolf Historical Society was held on Saturday, Dec. 6. Eleven homes and buildings were featured this year in East Allen Township, Bath, and Schnecksville. They are all more than 100 years old and represent various construction types and materials, showcasing the vision and hard work of dedicated owners. The society also had 13 vendors showing and selling their unique crafts and gifts in the Wolf Academy, Ralston-McKeen House, and Monocacy School. A Colonial cooking
–Home News photo
demonstration was put on by Kathy Wilhelm in the RalstonMcKeen House, where, like many of the homes, were fireplaces that were lit and warmed up the atmosphere. With all the rain, the hundreds of people on the tour had on their raincoats or carried umbrellas. All were required to wear booties over their shoes once inside the homes because of the rain. The first four stops on the tour are all buildings owned by the society: Wolf Academy, Ralston-McKeen House, Monocacy School at 6600 Jacksonville Rd., East Allen Township, and the Siegfried Log Cabin on W. Main St. in Beth Borough. New for the tour this year was God’s Missionary Church
and adjoining Horner’s Cemetery at 4963 Nor-Bath Blvd., Northampton. And the same for the next five homes: Robert Bysher, 1275 Weaversville Rd., Northampton; Dave Wirth and Sonja Kustafik at 4251 Wood St., Schnecksville; Andy and Raenette Schneck at 5520 Park Valley Rd., Schnecksville (Neffs); Michael and Sandra Daumer, 3431 Bellview Rd., Schnecksville; Tom and Anne Continued on page 2
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