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Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Bethlehem Tp Considers Library Expansion at Coolidge Building

Although there were no formal votes, it appears that Bethlehem Township Commissioners and the Bethlehem Area Public Library are close to an agreement that will make at least some library services available to township residents who are unable to travel to the main library. At their May 21 meeting, John Merhottein floated the idea of a new library location at the Coolidge building, the Township's former municipal center. Merhottein is the Commissioner-appointed trustee of the library, and reported that the library is willing to explore this option.

For years, Commissioners have complained about the annual contribution and have threatened to leave. This year, it is paying $17.55 a person ($416,462). Hanover Township, Fountain Hill and Bethlehem are also library members and pay the same per capita rate.

Merhottein stressed several times that decisions about what library services will be offered are still "fluid." He'd like to see a media center with laptops and a kids' area open for a few days every week. But nothing is set in stone. he also acknowledged that both the library and the township have limited resources.

John Gallagher called it a "wonderful idea," adding it is "fully worthy of our support." Malissa Davis agreed, and suggested possible uses could be as a tutoring site, a place for reading programs or simply a place to pick up books.

The only negativity came from Tom Nolan, who was a library board member for seven years. "It is not to be considered a satellite library," he said at one point, adding that he would oppose any help from the Community Center staff.

Randi Blauth, who has a degree in library science from Kutztown University, is the citizen appointee to the library board. She was also at the meeting and corroborated Merhottein.

In other business, Commissioners voted 4-0 (Mike Hudak was absent) to advertise bids for the next phase in the Housenick Park trail project. Assistant Public Works Director told Commissioners that the latest phase will add 0.4 miles of walking trails. There will also be a 16' high gazebo in the old orchard and a children's sensory garden. The Township has about $500,000 in state and county grant funds for this project.
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 22, 2018 at 6:07 AM

    I love to read myself & mainly read the newspaper every day & my Monthly Magazine I get for Model Railroading. But with E-Book's & everything can be viewed on a PC now a day's Library's are going on the way side. NOW I do SUPPORT YOUNG Kids in grade school to still support there Local Library's when I was in Grade school & even middle school I looked forward to visiting the BPL I was even in a Saturday Morning Story Time group. But like anything times are changing

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  2. AnonymousMay 22, 2018 at 9:26 AM

    The old goat Tom Nolan needs to go out to pasture already. He's cost the township taxpayers millions, millions of dollars due to his lack of common sense. He can take Hudak with him too.

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  3. AnonymousMay 22, 2018 at 10:25 AM

    The entire administration in Bethlehem Township have become fat cats, sitting back and going thru the motions while performing minimally yet paid 6 figures. Time for a change!

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  4. AnonymousMay 22, 2018 at 1:38 PM

    Hudak has now missed 2 commissioner's in a row but I see him driving around in the township, even yesterday? Important agenda items votes he wants to avoid?

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  5. Bernie O'HareMay 22, 2018 at 2:08 PM

    Hudak was at the last regularly scheduled meeting of Commissioners. I do not know if he attended the Sprcial meeting bc I myself was at a basketball game. But I will say this. Live him or hate him, Hudak is a dedicated Commissioner. I think they all are right now. Pat Breslin was not.

    ReplyDelete

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