Bethlehem Tp Monthly Reports - February Highlights

Once every month, department heads provide Commissioners with reports. Here are February's highlights.

Police. - There were 68 accidents involving 131 vehicles and 16 injuries. Police issued 73 traffic citations, 17 parking tickets and 113 warnings. There were 20 misdemeanor or felony charges, along with 9 summary offenses charged and 3 DUIs.Police are investigating an unusual drive-by shooting in which a teenager was shot while seated in a parked vehicle. He escaped major injury.

The Department has been selected to participate in the PSP Computer Crimes Task Force, with Investigator David Ryan acting as point man for the Township.

Public Works. - Director Richard Grube's road crew was kept busy responding to storms on seven different dates. Though the snowfall was only between 2-4", blowing and drifting snow presented challenges to keeping fire hydrants and school bus stops clear. The Township exhausted its salt supply and was forced to go with a second vendor and min=x in anti-skid materials, which Grube dislikes because the roads will need to be cleaned in the Spring. Cold weather made pothole patching difficult, but that will be a priority in March.

Planning. - Director Nathan Jones reports that construction is under way at Madison farms, People First FCU and the Northampton Community College dorm. He notes that the Chrin V7 plans have been formally withdrawn. He requested the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to replace Keystone bridge and would like a traffic study of the Butztown section of Easton Avenue. Finally, he is developing an action plan to streamline the local permitting process.

Community Center. - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will take place on March 27 at 9:30 am. Call 610-332-1900 for reservations. Later that day, at 6:15 pm, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. Residents are being asked to provide their own baskets.