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The Home News Your Local News
MARCH 12-18, 2015
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Walker Farm subdivision Approved in Moore Twsp.
To Build or Repair?
by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Bath municipal building.
Council discusses future of municipal building
A
by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
t a workshop meeting of Bath Borough Council on February 11, two previous sets of minutes from Dec. 9, 1991 and Sept. 13, 1993 contained discussions about either renovating the present municipal building or constructing a new one. The discussions came up again at this latest meeting. In 1993 Council had resolved to renovate at a cost of $152,862 (which in 2015 would amount to $250,435, adjusted at a rate of 63.8% with inflation). The 1993 renovations scope of work included roof repairs, painting, ADA improvements and parking lot improvements. The estimate would have incorporated grant funding. Borough Manager Tom Petrucci at that time recommended that any solution to the municipal building should increase the level of public services offered to residents, especially when factoring in an expected increased tax burden. He reported that any grant funding to renovate or construct would strongly weigh community-focused initiatives as criteria for the awarding of funds. At the Feb. 11 meeting, Councilwoman Carol Bear-Heckman concurred that she would also like to see community-oriented services offered in the borough. She specifically cited Silver Sneakers as well as the free library kiosk in Hanover Township, offered by the Bethlehem Free Library, as programs to potentially emulate. She said she would prefer to see the present building at Penn & Washington Sts. renovated, referring to her strong belief in historical preservation. Mrs. Heckman recommended that the Borough begin a maintenance plan over time instead of doing the work all at once.
She said although a large renovation project was started in 1993, no significant work was done in a consistent manner. Councilman Mark Saginario pointed out that the Public Works building is also in poor shape and should be included in the discussion. Councilman Mike Reph noted that the maintenance items have arisen over time and the Borough has addressed them on a case-bycase basis during various budget cycles. Each governing body has set its own funding priorities, respectively, since 1993 and the municipal building hasn’t always remained a priority, he said. Councilwoman Jennifer George said the architectural features of the present building couldn’t be duplicated in a new structure. Council president Robert Continued on page 2
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A major subdivision of the Walker Farm was approved Monday afternoon in a delayed meeting of the Moore Township Board of Supervisors. The board also approved a deferral of a road access and the sewage module for the subdivision. There is already a house on the land. The plan had received an approval from the Planning Commission. Elsewhere in the Planners’ report, it was noted that an election of officers on the board was held. Elected were John Becker, chairman; David Frey, vice chairman, and Jason Harhart, secretarytreasurer. • On the recommendation of Chief Gary West, the Supervisors hired three part-time police officers. They are Erik Schaffer of Walnutport, Randall Pompei, Jr. of Quakertown, and Ethan Dilcherd of Bushkill Township. • An allotment of $900 was approved for the Playground in the Park program that will be held this summer. Sterling Laubach reported that sessions will be held from July 7 to 10 and July 13 to 17. • The board accepted the resignation of Troy Kocher from the recreation commission. • It was noted that the Historical Commission is working on a hand-out booklet for Moore Township’s 250th anniversary celebration this year. On April 19, as a fundraiser, the commission will sponsor a Longaberger basket social at the Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Co. hall. Doors will open at noon and bingo Continued on page 2
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