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JANUARY 7-13, 2021
COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Moravian Hall Square in Nazareth
Submitted by LIZ BRANDL Residents and staff at Morningstar Living’s Moravian Hall Square campus in Nazareth are among the first in Northampton County to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Morningstar Living partnered with CVS Omnicare, one of the national pharmacies, to manage the COVID-19 vaccination process. CVS provides end-to-end management of the COVID-19 vaccination process, including cold chain management, on-site vaccinations and fulfillment of reporting requirements. Morningstar Living provided space to conduct the clinic at its Moravian Hall Square campus. As the first Pfizer vaccines were administered President & CEO Susan Cooper Drabic could not hide the smile behind her mask, “Today is the answer to all our prayers. The last nine months have been very
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Bath Council begins 2021 by waiving Real estate tax penalty period
By KERI LINDENMUTH With many still recovering from the economic impact of COVID-19, the Borough of Bath Council’s first motion of 2021 was to waive the 2021 real estate tax penalty period through the end of the year. The decision was made during council’s virtual meeting on January 4. Council first explored waiving the penalty period through the first quarter, but upon further discussion, chose to waive the penalty period through 2021. Some who have lost their jobs Kim Daniels receives her due to COVID, said Council vaccine. President Mark Saginario, are just getting back to work now, while challenging for our residents and others are still out of work. Waivstaff. We are grateful that people ing the penalty period will help living and working in long term lessen any financial burden. ----------------------care communities are prioritized 2020 was a very challenging during the vaccine distribution. There IS light at the end of this year for everyone. COVID tunnel.” Council President Kim Daniels, Nursing MenMark Saginario tor, and Linnie Clark, Infection ----------------------Control Nurse, were the first “2020 was a very challenging staff members to receive the vacyear for everyone,” he said. He cine, “It’s such a relief to be able to receive the vaccine. Today is thanked residents for putting the first step to getting life back their trust in borough officials to normal in our community,” and members of council for helpsaid Kim Daniels, “I'm looking ing to keep business moving. forward to family members being able to visit their loved ones again.” In total 100+ vaccinations were completed during Wednesday’s clinic. Moravian Hall Square will hold a second vaccine clinic by JOE KORBA on January 20th so residents and On January 4, the East Allen staff can get the second dose of Township Supervisors had their the vaccine. first meeting of the year virtually
Moore Township Supervisors Approve 2021 budget with No tax increase
by JASON KAMERY the expected expenditures are The Moore Township Board of $4,058,000. The expected 2021 Supervisors held a special meet- budget revenue and expenditures ing at 5:30 p.m. on December 29 for the Liquid Fuels account are at the municipal building to pass $458,000. the 2021 budget. Some of the significant budget The 2021 budget saw no real items include funding for a new estate increase, keeping it at six police vehicle and a new zoning mills. vehicle. The MS4 Infrastructure For the general fund ac- project, a township stormwacount, the expected 2021 budget revenue is $4,066,000, while Continued on page 2
Other business included discussion of a thirty-year-old public utilities ordinance that until now has not been enforced. In 1989, the borough passed an ordinance that would require public utility companies (gas, water, etc.) to submit permit applications, engineering reviews, and fees before completing any work, thereby notifying the borough of the work that needs to be done and providing funding should any streets have issues later (like potholes). Upon learning of the ordinance, UGI requested confirmation that the law be applied uniformly to all other utilities, including the borough’s water authority. The nonprofit water authority, however, has asked for an exemption from the fees. Borough Manager Brad Flynn and the borough’s solicitors said fees cannot be waived by council. Instead, the ordinance would have to be amended. Otherwise, the borough could face legal challenges from UGI or other utility companies. Council suggested a meeting between borough solicitors and water authority solicitors. Flynn said if the solicitors can find legal precedence for excluding the au-
thority from the fees, then council will have something concrete to base their decision on. “When we start enforcing old ordinances that haven’t been enforced, we’re going to have these little hiccups,” Saginario said. Following the meeting, council will decide whether to amend the ordinance with an exemption or keep it as is. Finally, council thanked the Economic and Community Development Committee for organizing the holiday door decorating contest. All feedback was positive, with several residents even calling the borough office to give their thanks for the holiday events in town. “Things like that right now are really helping people get through this,” said borough office administrator Merena Rasmus. The hope is to hold similar events going forward. Perhaps, added Councilwoman Carol Bear-Heckman, even a summer door decorating contest. The next council meeting will be held on Monday, February 1 via Zoom. Following a hiatus due to COVID-19, the rental inspection ordinance will be re-added to the agenda for council’s discussion.
East Allen Supervisors hold Reorganization meeting
because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The primary order of business was reorganization, which is officially filling positions and setting fees, taxes, etc. in the Township. The meeting was briefly chaired by solicitor Joseph Piperato III, esq. while a motion was made by Georgiann Hunsicker and seconded by Mark Schwartz to appoint Roger Unangst Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors. The motion passed unanimously. The other appointments were: Brent Green, Township Manager; Samantha Cordes, Township Secretary; Rose Wedde, Treasurer; and a recommendation for non-elected
township officials to be appointed passed unanimously. Ronald Rex replaced Bruce Milham on the Vacancy Board after Milham decided not to submit his name for consideration this year. Other motions made and approved were choosing an accounting firm for the 2021 audit, establishing employee salaries based on the 2021 budget and setting the holiday schedule based on the Township’s collective bargaining agreement with the Teamster’s Union. The Fire Hydrant Tax, $30 for any household within 780 feet of a hydrant, was approved to stay at the same rate. The only agenda item that was tabled was the 2021 fee schedule, which the Supervisors wanted to take a closer look at and compare to last year. It will be discussed at the next meeting. Supervisor Don
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Heiney volunteered to be a delegate at the Northampton County State Association Convention and was approved to do so. Hunsicker was approved to attend the Association of Township Officials. Lastly, the Supervisors voted to continue having the Board of Supervisors monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month and their workshop meeting on the fourth Thursday. The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be on January 13 at 7 p.m.
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