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Supervisors move to enforce park leases; manager authorized to notify LTAA of alleged breach
Summary
The board reviewed three long-term leases for park properties, discussed unpaid nominal lease payments and maintenance obligations, and unanimously authorized the manager to send LTAA a letter alleging lease breach for failing to maintain leased property.
Lehigh Township supervisors reviewed leases for township park properties at their March 25 meeting and unanimously directed the manager to notify the Lehigh Township Athletic Association (LTAA) that the association appears to be in breach of its lease for failing to maintain the leased area.
The board discussed three leases: LTAA (terms differ by document), Blue Mountain Quarter Midget Association (a 99‑year lease expiring in 2072 that the board said has expired in practice for some activities), and the local Historical Society. Supervisors raised several concerns: LTAA apparently has not been regularly remitting a $1 nominal annual payment called for in its lease, the Quarter Midgets’ lease requires maintenance and insurance but may not reflect current usage or improvements, and multiple park mowing and maintenance duties have drifted to Township staff in recent decades.
Attorney David Backenstoe advised sending a letter to LTAA stating the maintenance shortfalls are a lease breach and requesting immediate remedy; he also suggested the board consider lease addenda or new shorter-term leases. Supervisor Cindy Miller said consistency across leases is needed and questioned whether groups should be required to pay the fire tax and shoulder maintenance responsibilities. The board also asked staff to explore consolidating multiple park parcels and to determine prorated tax obligations if leased parcels are used for commercial purposes.
Janet Sheats moved and Cindy Miller seconded a motion authorizing the manager to send a letter to LTAA alleging breach; the motion passed unanimously. The board directed staff to pursue lease standardization and to return with proposed terms for future board action.
