Hudak Offended By Apology

Tom Coombs complained about weekly paper,
now gets two of them. 

In July, when Sean Delonas asked Bethlehem Townships's Board of Commissioners to do something about invasive bamboo, he was repeatedly interrupted by Michael Hudak. He disputed nearly every point made before declaring, "I'm done," and leaving. At their next meeting, in the absence of Hudak, the other four commissioners voted to prepare and advertise an ordinance that restricts this fast-growing grass. President Marty Zawarski did something else, too. He apologized to Delonas for the way he had been treated by Hudak, calling it "inappropriate on so many levels." But not to Hudak.

At the August 17 meeting, Hudak justified his repeated interruptions, followed by walking out, as "good government." He indicated he "takes offense" to Zawarski's apology and accused him of "stifling opinions."

Commissioners made no response to Hudak.

Without interruption, resident Thomas Coombs complained to Commissioners about a weekly paper being delivered to his property by courier Morning Call vans. Despite getting up early and talking to the van's driver between five and 11 times, a weekly paper is still dropped off. In fact, he now gets two of them.

"Why can't I package my garbage in little bags and take them out and throw them on the lawns?" he asked. Commissioners had no solution.

In other business, Commissioners voted 4-0 in favor of assigning a school resource officer to the Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School. The school will pay half of the officer's salary and benefits, or $40,724.92.

Commissioners also decided to accept the Planning Commission's July recommendation that the Township call in deferrals for streetscape improvements previously granted to CVS and St. Luke's along Freemansburg Avenue. These will include sidewalks, brick piers, decorative streetlights, wrought iron fences and landscaping. A third business, Wolfe Dental will be spared because if its location at the corner of Freemansburg Avenue and  Farmersville Road. Solicitor Jim Broughal warned Commissioners that this intersection is slated for improvements.

In Manager Melissa Shafer's report, she advised that the consultant hired by the Township to study the PennEast Pipeline will reveal his findings at a meeting in September. The Township has forwarded an access agreement to PennEast, demanding $15,000 as an entry fee upon township-owned land, along with and additional $5,000 to be held in escrow.

Township police report that they are doing background checks on the final candidates for a new patrol officer. One new hire has already arrived. K-9 Hugo is training with his partner, Officer Bryan Tollinger.

Police investigated 72 accidents involving 145 vehicles and 169 injuries in July. They issued 113 traffic citations, 164 warnings and 29 parking tickets. There were 16 misdemeanor and felony arrests, as well as 11 summary charges. There were also three DUI cases filed.