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FEBRUARY 1-7, 2024
Allen Township Supervisors Explore ways to reward Fire department volunteers, Incentivize new members
By KERI LINDENMUTH During their January 23 meeting, the Allen Township Board of Supervisors explored several options for rewarding existing fire department volunteers while incentivizing new members to join the team. Among them were real estate and earned income tax credits, mileage reimbursements and reimbursements per fire call. However, due to lax state law, supervisors struggled to decide on a program that would be fair for all volunteers. “It is crazy all across the state,” said Township Solicitor Lincoln B. Treadwell, “because there is not a uniform way to address it.” This has unintentionally led to municipalities competing for volunteers as volunteers move between departments, searching for
the best benefits. Supervisor Dale Hassler, the The original draft ordinance township’s fire chief, said other of the township’s incentive pro- volunteers rent, and some live gram offers a 100% real estate tax with their parents, which would credit for volunteers who meet not make them eligible for the criteria like number of calls re- real estate credit. In the case of sponded to. Nonresidents would earned income tax credits, some also receive a payment based on volunteers, like him, are retired. the assessed value of their proper“There isn’t a cure-all,” he conty multiplied by the Allen Town- tinued. But the township must ship tax millage. do something soon, he added. “I don’t see how crediting 100% With neighboring townships across the board is fair,” said Su- offering some incentives like paypervisor Gary Behler. “Some fire- per-call, Hassler said he worries fighters would get double of what Allen Township may lose volunothers would get.” teers if they do not offer any proBehler worried that volun- gram; a further consequence, said teers with lower property assess- Treadwell, of an inconsistent state ments would get a smaller credit policy. despite doing the same job. The The board tabled the draft orsame dilemma would happen if dinance. Treadwell, Township the township based the credit on Continued on page 5 earned income.
Lehigh Township Supervisors welcome Rec Board and Auditor applicants By LAURA KLOTZ The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors opened their meeting on Tuesday, January 23 with the introduction of two applicants for the recreation board, Tammy Hess and Joe Schwartz, and one for the vacant elected auditor position, Monica Brown. Hess has worked with the recreation board for a few years and is very invested in keeping the parks safe and up to date; her vision involves better and safer playground equipment and ensuring that the parks are ADA accessible. Schwartz is a longtime resident of Lehigh Township who has retired; he stated he wants to see greater community involvement in events, such as the turnout for the Christmas tree lighting, and feels that Delps Park is especially good for larger events. Both stated that they are willing and able to attend meetings and be involved with upcoming events. After some deliberation, the appointment was awarded to Hess; Schwartz was invited to
attend recreation board meetings the Vineyard Estates subdivision and be an active participant. is starting to submit their permit Brown was then introduced, a applications, so residents should retiree with an extensive book- not be surprised to see new houskeeping and insurance back- es popping up. ground. Her application was Three payment requests for the unanimously accepted. maintenance building’s construcA representative of Sedler De- tion were approved. Township sign and Redevelopment was Manager Alice Rehrig informed present to request an extension the board that progress continues for their plan, which was sched- on schedule and the building is uled to expire on February 14. expected to be finished in April. He explained that there were only A discussion was held regardtwo items remaining to be han- ing board vice-chairman Cyndled, but a mixup on PennDOT’s thia Miller’s prior proposal for end caused a delay. An extra two changes to the meeting structure, months would be all that was re- including her suggestion for limquired, and the board agreed to iting statements from audience grant an extension until April members to three minutes during 30. The board also approved the agenda items and five minutes request presented by Township during public comment. TownEngineer Michael Muffley, for ship Solicitor David Backenan escrow release for the North- stoe pointed out that the board woods project in the amount of chairman can cut off a speaker $1,163,132.19. if they continue for too long. Zoning Officer Elizabeth Ama- Miller asked if the board could, to reported that December was a at the very least, impose a rule slower month, with only 11 per- that those who wish to comment mit applications received; nine were issued. She also said that Continued on page 3
50 cents
4-H State Potato Grading Competition
Northampton County 4-H member Lirael Cooney placed first overall in the A and B Division. Submitted by INGRID GARCIA The 2024 4-H Potato Grading and Identification Contest was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 9. Many 4-H members participated in this exciting contest; a total of 148 members. 4-H youth from Armstrong, Blair, Bucks, Bradford, Carbon, Indiana, Lehigh, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Potter, Union and York counties all tested their knowledge of spuds. The contest is divided into two divisions: basic and honors. Those who compete in the honors division are winners from previous years. The competitors in the basic division must test their skills at three stations. The first station is a “potato grading” station. The station is a timed event where competitors challenge to see who can grade 100 potatoes in the shortest time. Not only is quickness important, but so is accuracy. The second station is a “defect station” where competitors must accurately identify 20 different defects on 40 potatoes. The third station is a “plate” grading station. Five potatoes are put on each of four plates. Each plate must be evaluated on uniformity of size and shape and lack of defects. The plates must then be ranked in order. Two classes of plates must be judged. Those in honors must complete
three stations in addition to the basic stations. The fourth station consists of two more plate classes. The fifth station is estimating the weights of two large potatoes. At the sixth station the contestants must pick a Premium Pack. This means that out of 30 potatoes the ten most uniform and defect-free potatoes must be chosen. This contest teaches and enhances life skills such as decision making, defending your answer, quickness and observation. These skills are used for judging potatoes and are also used for judging livestock and other items in 4-H. Enhancing the use of these skills helps prepare 4-H members for future careers and activities. The first place “A” team was from Bradford County. The second place “A” team was from Northampton County with team members Ian Wagner, Lirael Cooney, Alivia Giles and Porter Lindeman. The third place “A” team was from Lebanon County. The fourth place “A” team was Continued on page 2
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