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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Bethlehem Tp Delays Brodhead Rd Project

Though everyone agrees that Bethlehem Township's Brodhead Road is in dire need of repairs, Commissioners, but they have balked at the $3.9 million re-paving pricetag. Township officials had hoped that the state would award a $2.7 million grant for this needed project, but without explanation, the Commonwealth Financing Agency has declined to fund any more than $200,000. Township Engineer Brian Billman advised that design costs would be $48,000.

Township Commissioners were slated to adopt a resolution at their August 15 meeting, giving Dillman a green light to proceed with permitting and design. They also proposed a resolution directing Manager Melissa Shafer to approach businesses along the road, seeking voluntary contributions for the repairs.

But when push came to shove, Commissioners decided to continue doing what they've been doing all along - nothing.  

Both matters were tabled 4-0 (Pat Breslin was absent). Tom Nolan worried that directing Shafer to approach businesses would "put her on the spot." And the resolution authorizing a design was tabled without discussion.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Total lack of leadership. Has any of the commissioners drove this road?

Panhandling for road repair. Really!

Anonymous said...

Making donchez and brown look good as only this sill twsp could

Anonymous said...

Blithering idiots I say or are they bumbling fools running the show?

Anonymous said...

Zoo story.

Anonymous said...

Is Breslin ever there?

Anonymous said...

Maybe they can post Ms. Schafer at a stop sign with a bucket to collect donations from drivers.

Anonymous said...

How the hell does a repaving project need design? Oh, wait.....it's public money, that's why.

Anonymous said...

@7:49,
Although I personally don't care for him, Mr. Breslin's attendance is better than is perceived. It's his inability to pronounce words of several syllables that gets me.

Anonymous said...

did I miss something, don't these elected officials state that all this development is good for our tax base and good for our communities? Well if that is the case, where did all that tax income go all these years form these honey holes? Miss spent, nah that wouldn't happen. Keep building the township into a city like you are and this is what you get. Before long, these big box buildings will be empty and moving to greener pastors just like that when Bethlehem Twp and the other municipalities enticed them here from somewhere else. I said it before and I'll mention it again, in 20 years or so, the valley will look like it did in the late 70'and 80's. The sign will read "VACANT" .

Anonymous said...

There is nothing wrong with asking the people who use the road to help pay for the maintenance. Did anyone ever hear of the Route 512 widening project. Widening Route 512 was a project that was paid for by the users (trucking industry and businesses inside the Corporate park) along with a grant from the County and some state funds. Who benefits from the warehouse industry? Taxes go to the host municipalities, the School Districts and the County. Ask each of them to forego there taxes for one year (along with some financial help from the Warehousing industries affected) and repave the road. This time do it right. Naw....forget it. That would take some time and a little planning. It's much easier to raise taxes.
Hokie Joe

Anonymous said...

Asking your township manager to ask for donations is eye rolling bush league. If it is such a great idea, how about the big time elected officials get out there and go with her?

She will get zero dollars and this question over and over again:

"Isn't this what I pay taxes for?"

Bethlehem Township is another example of a community that needs to fire its engineer and get new blood, new thinking.

If you can't pave a road which is one of the most basic functions of local government, you've failed.

Anonymous said...

@9:02,
The tax monies you speak of were spent at a rate that matched income. Now that development in BT has reached its saturation point, there's no new money. Couple that with the failure to increase revenue to match increased costs over the last 7 years, and you get your answers.

Anonymous said...

Design costs? It's a frickin' existing road. You know how long and wide it is. Estimate the asphalt quantity and do it.

Asking businesses to contribute? Good luck with that.

I'm writing In Mickey Mouse for commissioner next time.

I drive that road every day and it is probably the worst conditioned regularly traveled road in the Valley.

Between the community center and this road, we taxpayers are screwed.

Anonymous said...

I'm betting that the road degraded due to the parade of heavy trucks...make them contribute.

VOR

Anonymous said...

The route 512 project was funded by the Industrial Park residents and a grant from the County and some State monies. Check the records.

Anonymous said...

How about a toll booth, like in "Blazing Saddles"?

Anonymous said...

The Commissioners' idea of seeking donations is their way of saying they don't give a hoot.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I am almost certain that idea came from the floor. I see nothing wrong with asking. Tge twp should also sit down withLVIP.