Bethlehem Township's New Budget Holds Line on Taxes

Andrew Freda

At their November 18 meeting, Bethlehem Township Commissioners unanimously authorized Finance Director Andrew Freda to advertise a no-tax increase budget for 2013. At $16.2 million, the budget retains a 5.99 millage rate, under which a home assessed at $75,000 would be taxed $449.25.

After a thirty-day public inspection period, Commissioners will vote on the budget at their December 17 meeting.

In other business, resident Matt Vrabel complained about "poor stewardship of the canal," referring to the Lehigh Canal towpath, which extends from Allentown to Easton. He took public works to task for failing to maintain the towpath. stating it "should be a showcase instead of a dump." He was particularly irked that, after Hurricane Sandy, some trees were removed from the path and thrown into the canal instead of being cut up.

Township Manager Howard Kutzler reminded Vrabel that there are just 13 people in public works to maintain 14.7 square miles, and "they do a great job." President Paul Weiss added that they worked round the clock during the hurricane. Vrabel was told that public works moved trees that were tangled with power lines so that ambulances and firetrucks could get through.

Township Commissioners will meet again on Monday, December 3, at 7 PM, at the Municipal Building located at 4225 Easton Avenue.