Lehigh Township supervisors hire Pennoni to finish zoning work, deny Pine Run contractor change order

The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 voted to hire Pennoni Associates to complete the Township’s Zoning Ordinance and SALDO updates previously handled by URDC and took action on several planning and contract matters.

Pennoni’s representative, Matt Wanamaker, told the Board the firm has most of URDC’s materials and “they intend to meet all their existing contracts,” and added that if there is an overage from the transition he would “have to eat it.” The Board approved hiring Pennoni for zoning work ($3,482) and SALDO work ($9,800) for a not-to-exceed total of $13,282.

The Board also handled routine land‑use items on the consent agenda: it granted a waiver to SALDO §147‑29 and conditional final approval for the Carl & Linda Becker minor subdivision (conditions per the Planning Commission’s Jan. 20, 2025 recommendation and engineer/sewage enforcement letters), and accepted multiple time extensions for other minor subdivisions and recordings.

On construction-contract business the Board approved Payment Request #3, releasing the original contract retainage of $22,150 for the Pine Run fuel-island project but denied the contractor’s Change Order #1 and accompanying payment request. Engineer Mike Muffley said the contractor proceeded with additional trenching and e-stop relocation work after a Labor & Industry inspection without following required change-order procedures and without providing sufficient documentation for the extra charges; the Board denied the change order for lack of authorization and incomplete documentation.

Parks and recreation drew substantial debate. Recreation Chair Sandy Hopkins reviewed upcoming events and repair needs; the Board discussed padding for a wall at the Berlinsville field, where two contractor estimates ($20,700 and $25,000) were contrasted with the project budget ($16,000) and a Lions Club pledge (discussed at $14,000–$14,500). The Board tabled any funding decision pending written commitment and directed Engineer Mike Muffley to meet with the Recreation Board to assess tennis‑court drainage and provide recommendations.

Chief Scott Fogel briefed the Board on police staffing and the planned sergeant‑promotion process (written exam, interviews). Fogel said the department roster is back to 12 officers but several are in field training or out sick, causing overtime and coverage strain; supervisors asked for overtime-cost details and authorized the Chief to order study materials so promotion testing can begin.

Solicitor David Backenstoe outlined the steps for placing a ballot referendum to add a 0.25 percentage‑point earned‑income tax dedicated to farmland and open‑space preservation, including adopting a notice of intent and ordinance, drafting a plain‑English ballot question, and forming an oversight board to review applications if voters approve the tax. One resident noted that at the proposed rate a $100,000 earner would pay $250 annually.

The meeting included other departmental reports (fire, zoning, public works) and closed with an executive session on collective bargaining. The Board adjourned with no further action taken.

Votes at a glance • Hire Pennoni Associates for Zoning ($3,482) and SALDO ($9,800): Passed (motion; all voted aye). • Becker minor‑subdivision waiver and conditional approval: Passed (motion; all voted aye). • Extensions (Landis, Hantz, Magnolia) and LTMA recording extension to Dec. 31, 2025: Passed (motions; all voted aye). • Release of Pine Run original contract retainage ($22,150): Passed (motion; all voted aye). • Deny Pine Run Change Order #1 and associated payment: Passed (motion; all voted aye). • Authorize Chief to order promotional test materials: Passed (motion; all voted aye).