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Lehigh Township authorizes manager to register for Northampton County opioid settlement participation
Summary
The Board authorized the manager to register the township to participate in the county's third wave of opioid settlements that may route recovery funds to county services; the township would not receive funds directly but may benefit via county-distributed services.
The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors voted Aug. 26 to authorize the Township Manager to register the township for Northampton County’s participation in the next wave of national opioid settlements. Township Solicitor David Backenstoe explained that large pharmaceutical manufacturers have reached multi-party settlements and that municipalities often participate through county actions rather than direct township claims.
Backenstoe said the township would not receive settlement funds directly; any benefits likely would be channeled through the county to services such as the 911 center that serve municipal residents. The County solicitor has asked Northampton municipalities to rejoin the county’s coordination to strengthen negotiations and distribution. Cindy Miller moved to authorize the manager to register; Janet Sheats seconded and the Board voted unanimously.
The authorization directs staff to register with the county so Lehigh Township is included in county coordination; the Board did not adopt or appropriate any specific distribution of funds at this meeting.
