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SEPTEMBER 23-29, 2021
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Allen Township supervisors Unhappy with Radar Drive work By KERI LINDENMUTH Allen Township supervisors on Tuesday, September 14, voiced displeasure with road work performed on Radar Drive. As a result, they refused to release the full security amount to Rockefeller Lehigh Valley, developers of the warehouse complex along Radar Drive and Willowbrook Road. Township engineer Stan Wojciechowski said he has concerns with the striping on Willowbrook Road, an infiltration basin on the property, and, primarily, paving performed on Radar Drive. He said the wearing course has not been properly bound to the road’s binder course, leading to cracks on the
800-foot section of road. This is an issue the township has alerted the developer to several times. Although Rockefeller has asked Radar Drive to remain a private road, it connects to a public township road. “We as a township would want that up to par,” said Supervisor Gary Behler. The township is withholding security of $1.1 million, which Wojciechowski said is “more than enough” to fix Radar Drive should the property owner continue to refuse to. Roughly $91,200 was released to Rockefeller. In other news, supervisors passed a resolution that would allow the township to apply for the Lehigh/Northampton County
LSA grant. If funds are awarded, they would go toward sanitary sewer cleaning and televising equipment. Supervisors also approved the township’s participation in the Northampton County Community Development Block Grant Program. This funding would be used for ADA needs. “We should take every [grant] opportunity we can,” said Supervisor Dale Hassler. Finally, supervisors approved trick-or-treat for Sunday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. The rain date will be on November 1. The next Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 28 at 7 p.m. at the Allen Township Fire Company.
Looking by Back Ed Pany Barns part 3 of 3Northampton Borough
Residents ask Northampton Council To explore new trail access By KERI LINDENMUTH Several residents of the borough’s Third Ward approached Northampton Borough Council during their meeting on Thursday, September 16 to ask council to explore the possibility of a new access point to the Nor-Bath Trail. Residents of McKeever Lane had previously used a neighboring property to access the trail, with that property owner’s permission. The access, they said, was safer and easier to get to than the next closest access point, and allowed walkers to safely cross the railroad tracks. However, a new owner has moved into the home and placed “No Trespassing” signs on the property. Caesar Artos, the new property owner, said he moved into the home with his wife and chil-
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dren 11 months ago. Shortly after moving in, he noticed trash and pet waste on his property from people using it to access the trail. His grass was damaged and he also said there were evenings when he noticed people crossing through his property well after midnight. He chose to survey his land and install the signs for the “safety of his family.” Council understood Artos’s concerns and want to respect his wishes. Councilman Ronald Glassic and Trevor Stone, who both represent the Third Ward, will work with property owners and Mayor Thomas Reenock to see whether they can provide a solution. In other news, the borough met with representatives of Allen Township to discuss an Act 537 plan. Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst said the discussion was “encouraging.” The borough is currently in litigation with the township regarding their sewer agreement. Brobst told council they may want to consider forming a sewer authority between the two municipalities.
“We are heading in the right direction,” he said. The borough will also be talking to solicitors regarding their contract with their current waste hauler, Republic Services. The haulers “have seriously dropped the ball as of late,” said Brobst. “They have really disappointed everyone.” Brobst said there have been 546 misses in only one month. Solicitors will look at imposing punishments on the contractor moving forward. Finally, junior council member Ryleigh Tillotson gave her first report since taking her position earlier in the month. She has been talking to high school guidance counselors about getting volunteers together for a digital borough newsletter. She is also exploring ways to update the borough website to make it more navigable. Finally, she mentioned that the biology club may be interested in assisting Jerry Mraz and his monarch project at Canal Park. The next council meeting will be held on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m.
C.W. Shoemaker’s barn sits at 1739 Main St., rear. Photo courtesy of Larry Oberly.
The W&D Beers barn is located in the alley between Main Street and Washington Avenue. Photo courtesy of Larry Oberly. When we look back into our history, we often don’t realize that many of our local boroughs and small towns are dotted with small barns and stables. They are present because earlier there were not many automobiles, and the peo-
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