How Does Open Space Benefit You?

Yesterday, NorCo Exec Lamont McClure held a press conference at the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center to announce the results of an environmental study. I passed. I thought he'd be discussing the sex life of bog turtles (I know a few and they brag too much) or how great dandelions taste in a salad (they don't). But as usual, I was wrong. McClure actually wanted to report a return on investment. How has the money spent on open space benefited you, the taxpayer. 

NorCo established a formal open space program with its 2006 budget. When running for Exec, the late great John Stoffa actually pledged that he would raise taxes a half mill to fund this program. As he liked to quip, "I promised to raise taxes, but they voted for me anyway." Stoffa's plan was actually opposed at the time by then Council members Charles Dertinger, Lamont McClure and Wayne Grube. They wanted instead to play games with the Executive's estimated revenue, which is contrary to the Home Rule Charter. Dertinger demanded that someone tell him why the Charter barred Council members from playing games with estimated revenue. "You're supposed to know that," Stoffa quietly answered. The end result is that an open space plan that was initially opposed by a Democratic majority on Council was reluctantly enacted. 

And it has worked. McClure, now a convert, touted the economic and other benefits of the open space investment yesterday. 

According to a statement after the presser, since 2006, Northampton County has invested more than $20 million to safeguard open spaces. Since 2018 alone, the County has awarded $9.2 million in grants, preserved over 600 acres, and added another 339 acres to its park system.

Key findings of the report include:

• $436 million generated annually by outdoor recreation, supporting nearly 2,000 jobs
• $37 million in annual savings from replenishing water supply
• $48 million in natural flood protection each year
• $85 million in air pollution removed annually by trees
• $21.7 billion added to total home value across the County
• $38.3 million in agricultural output supporting more than 700 jobs
• $9–20 million in healthcare savings each year from active lifestyles connected to parks and trails

“The return on our environment is not just ecological, it is financial,” McClure emphasized. “It’s clear: people want to live near green spaces, and that demand translates into measurable economic benefits.”

I routinely see the economic benefit while cycling along local trails and roads, especially now that e-bikes are in heavy use. Bakeries, convenience stores, restaurants and hotels near trails are big winners. i believe a food truck at Sand Island would make a killing. 

NorCo Council Awards $525,000 for Open Space Projects

Northampton County has what it calls a "livable landscape" program that provides grant funding for land preservation, municipal parks, open space planning, ecological restoration and regional trails. At their June 18 meeting, County Council approved five such grants, totaling $525,000, to Bethlehem, Northampton, Palmer Tp. Upper Mount Bethel Tp and Hellertown.

Bethlehem is receiving $300,000 towards a $1.043 million project to connect the Soth Bethlehem Greenway with the Saucon Rail Trail. Once completed, it will be possible to cycle or hike from South Bethlehem to Quakertown. this will create continuous greenway in a populated urban area to promote physical activity, health and wellness, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The gravel trail will be 12'wide.

You never know what you'll find on the South Bethlehem Greenway. It's where I met the Wizard of New Zealand. 

Upper Mount Bethel Tp be awarded $75,000 towards a $1.125 million plan to rehabilitate a former sand and gravel quarry site at the UMBT Preserve. This will include a new main entrance and two smaller trailheads for public access at different areas into the preserve as well as observation decks, overlooks, fishing or kayak platforms.

Palmer Tp will be provided $50,000 towards a $104,000 plan to restore a 0.5 mile section of the Schoeneck Creek riparian buffer at Fox Run Park. This is expected to reduce stormwater runoff and improve wildlife habitat.

Northampton Borough will get $100,000 towards a $763,897 plan to replace outdated and unsafe playground equipment with a new 100,000 sq ft facility with a poured-in-place rubber surface. The gaol is to transform 4th Street Park into an exemplary recreation system serving as a welcoming, inclusive play environment for families of all abilities.

Hellertown has been awarded $75,000 for the $560,000 Tumminelo Park improvements. Hellertown will install a install a new footbridge over Mill Race to connect the Saucon Rail Trail (SRT) to Tumminello Park. This will improve access to the trail.

NorCo Council Invests $1,090,686 in a Dozen Open Space Projjects

At their May 18 meeting, Northampton County Council approved $1,090,686 in open space programs for a dozen projects throughout the county. They were all meticulously described by Conservation Coordinator Sherry Acevedo in advance of the vote.  Here's the breakdown. 

Reinhard's Park (Hellertown) - $166,435 (including county grant of $75,000) for a  passive recreational park area, including an ADA accessible gazebo with a native plant garden.

Wilson Borough Meuser Park - $599,000 (including county grant of $75,000) - for two tennis courts and six pickleball courts with crowned surfaces, ADA accessible pathways, parking lot resurfacing, rain gardens, fencing  and benches. 

Bethlehem Tp Municipal Park Playground rehab - $514,585 (with $75,000 county grant) to replace the playground next to community center  with poured in place rubber safety equipment. The current playground is over 20 years old, and there are no spare parts for malfunctioning equipment. 

Hanover Tp pool complex - $152,590 (including county grant of $50,000) . At the new community pool, a subsurface detention basin is being built underneath a rain garden. It will provide a slow, low volume release into an existing swale. It is believed this will minimizes sinkholes common in that area. 

Lower Mount Bethel Tp - $173,746 (including county grant of $35,161) to relocate 1 tennis courts and add 2 pickleball courts with crowned surfaces and construct a vegetated swale 

Moore Tp - $95,000 (including county grant of $47,500) for an open space plan

Palmer Tp - $125,000 (including county grant of $62,500) for Bushkill Creek Corridor Greenway plan to address flooding, access into Penn Pump Park and stream bank stabilization

Upper Mount Bethel Tp - $50,000 (including county grant of $25,000) for a Portland to Minsi Park Trail feasibility study.  This stretch is 5.5 miles, and would be a combination on road and off road. 

Wildlands Conservancy - $240,000 (including county grant of $120,000) for stream restoration after a 2021 dam removal, invasive plant removal.

Greater Easton Development Partnership - $375,000 (including county grant of $187,500) to acquire 1.2 acres from Norfolk Southern at Lehigh Drive and Washington Street for an urban park and a trailhead.

Upper Mount Bethel Tp - $159,000 (including county grant of $75,600) to purchase conservation easement of 33.6 acres.

Upper Mount Bethel Tp - $524,850 (including county grant of $262,425) to purchase conservation easement of 95.86 acres adjacent to Delaware River. 

NorCo, DCNR Adding 90 Acres to Bushkill Park System

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure and Secretary of the Department of Conservation and National Resources (DCNR) Cindy Adams Dunn will celebrate the opening of a 90-acre parcel near Bushkill Tp's Jacobsburg Park today, 2:30 pm, at the Jacobsburg Environmental Center. Known as the Ballas tract, this parcel includes a fishing pond, one-mile loop trail, wetlands and a connection to the Bushkill Township PPL trail.

Since 2008, Northampton County has helped preserve nearly 3,000 acres of open space and natural areas. Open Space is estimated to provide a value of $201.7 million per year to the Lehigh Valley in the form of natural system services. An estimated $351 million is spent on outdoor recreation annually in Northampton County.

Bushkill Township is also an active participant in open space preservation. It has created a Township Recreation Center (87.38 acres) and the Bushkill Rail Trail, a 2-mile trail along a PPL right-of-way.

Brown Has Skimped on Open Space as Exec

When he was elected Executive in Northampton County, John Stoffa lobbied for and convinced Council to vote for a 1/2 mill tax hike for a pay-as -you go open space program. Though the money went into the general fund and could be spent for anything, Stoffa largely stuck with his pledge.

Between 2007 and 2014, tax receipts from this tax amounted to $29.6 million. Stoffa devoted $23.5 million to open space. 

That commitment has been ignored by Executive John Brown.  Over the past three years (2015-2018), that half mill of taxes has generated $15.2 million. But Brown has spent only $3.7 million on open space projects It has gone to county and municipal parks. .

NorCo Council Approves Five Space Projects

Matt Dietz and his busy Open Space Committee spearheaded the following grants at Council's June 15 meeting:

1) $7,000 for the 2000 linear feet Catasauqua Creek Riparian Buffer Restoration Project at Wayne Grube Memorial Park. The remaining $145,200 will come from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Pa DCNR) and other municipalities.

2) $75,000 for the Oughoughton Creek Restoration Project in Lower Mount Bethel Tp. The remaining $225,000 will come from the Wildlands Conservancy, Martins-Jacoby Watershed Ass'n and Pa. Dep't of Environmental Protection.  This money will be used to restore 2.6 miles of a creek suffering from severe erosion, loss to agriculture, water quality degradation, severe flooding, downstream sedimentation issues and loss of fish and wildlife.

3) $200,000 to acquire Tekening Trail from Martins Creek LLC in Lower Mount Bethel. The remaining $600,000 will come from Lower Mount Bethel and DCNR. This will be a 4.5 mile trail system.

4) $90,300 for a conservation easement on 59.5 acres owned by Jay Deputy and Jon Walton. The remaining $101,700 comes from Upper Mount Bethel. This is swampland John Cusick and Mat Benol opposed this grant.    

5) $285,782.17 for upgrades to Monocacy Park in Bethlehem, including stabilization of a trail from Schoenersville Rd to Illicks's Mill, expansion of trails around the Memorial Pool, signage, benches and landscaping.  The remaining $286,000 comes from Bethlehem.

NorCo Signs Wildlands Conservancy For Its Open Space Program

FROM NORTHAMPTON COUNTY- April 17, 2017 - Northampton County recently signed a three-year commitment with Wildlands Conservancy to assist the County's Open Space, Parks and Recreation and Farmland Preservation Divisions in trail and greenways development, natural resource protection and restoration, and outdoor recreation programs. Additionally, Wildlands has scheduled more than 50 free environmental education and outdoor recreation programs and conservation workshops this year at several county and municipal parks. These programs and workshops, including children and family programs, youth day camps and paddling adventures, are offered to the public free of charge. The goal of this partnership is to improve the natural resources and quality of life for everyone who lives, works and plays in Northampton County.

The County Parks and Recreation Division manages 18 parks and conservation lands encompassing more then 2,000 acres of green space. Highlighted by the 100-acre Louise W. Moore Park to the 1,200-acre cooperative conservation area surrounding Minsi Lake and the five-mile NorBath Trail, the County has a wealth of resources that can be enhanced for public recreational opportunities. "Of great importance, Wildlands Conservancy will assist in the identification of sensitive environmental areas, and provide guidance on how to best develop public access through trails and environmental education programs," stated Gordon Heller, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation.

In the past five years, Northampton County's Open Space Program has become a leader in the fields of land protection, environmental restoration and trail development. The Open Space Program has assisted funding the preservation of early 1,850 acres in open space protection and environmental restoration projects, and over 50 municipal park rehabilitation, development and acquisition projects. The County's land and water trail systems equal nearly 300 miles, with the imminent closure of regional trail gaps, allowing Northampton County to become a major hub for 100+ mile trail systems along the East Coast of the United States.

The Open Space Program recently enrolled Northampton County into the Scenic, Wild Delaware River Geotourism Program (www.scenicwilddelawareriver.com), a nine-county regional tourism effort to highlight outdoor recreation, local towns and small businesses along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The Geotourism Program is one of 25 internationally that are sponsored by National Geographic.

"The ability to utilize the resources of Wildlands Conservancy will ensure that our parks and natural resources will continue to be utilized in a sustainable manner for recreation and tourism efforts for years to come," said Bryan Cope, Open Space Coordinator and Chair of the Scenic Wild Delaware River Geotourism Stewardship Council.

The Emmaus-based Wildlands Conservancy, whose mission is to protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways within the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed, has protected more than 54,000 acres of open space, and educated more than 350,000 people since 1973. "The Lehigh and Delaware Rivers and their tributaries, the backdrop of Blue Mountain, Working farmlands, numerous nature preserves and area parks are among the special natural features that help define Northampton County's unique sense of place," remarked Chris Kocher, Wildlands Conservancy's president. "Our partnership will build upon our shared successes to ensure conservation and environmental education are among the top priorities of the people who call Northampton County home."

Wildlands Conservancy is currently working with the County to develop a state grant application to address environmental restoration needs at the county-owned Archibald Johnston Conservation Area in Bethlehem Township, and developing plans to naturalize areas in select county parks for wildlife habitat, water quality improvement and public enjoyment.

To find out more about these community partnership outreach programs and other Wildlands Conservancy programs, or to register for one, log onto www.wildlandspa.org/events or call 610.965.4397, ext. 136. For more information on Northampton County Parks, call Jim Wilson, Northampton County Parks Recreation Specialist, at 610.829.6404 or send email to jwilson@northamptoncounty.org.

Blogger's Note: I'm deeply concerned by the  land preservation boards in several municipalities that seem more intent on preserving their own properties than doing what is best for the county. At this point, I'dlike to know whether the County is paying The Wildlands. This news release comes from Administrator Cathy Allen.    

NorCo's Open Space Chair Faces Conflict Allegations

Ron Angle unswayed by Judy Henckel

Judith Henckel is a well-known environmental activist who currently serves as the Chair of Northampton County's Open Space Advisory Board. Before that, she led a "save or pave" drive supporting a 2007 referendum in which Upper mt Bethel taxpayers agreed to a 0.25 tax hike dedicated to preserving open space. That year, she also won a six-year seat on the Board of Supervisors, where she pursued an environmental agenda that included the 2008 purchase of  a 300-acre quarry owned by Eastern Industries, financed with a $2 million bond. That purchase was criticized by Ron Angle, who charged that the Township was buying "barren land" that could never be developed. But Henckel countered that the move was essential to protect the "Mount Bethel Fens."

And bog turtles.

But is it really about the fens and bog turtles? Or is the green pursued by open space activists the kind they can take to the bank?

Based on a tip from Ron Angle, Upper Mount Bethel Supervisors have spent the past month looking at records of payments made to Urban Research and Development, a well-respected Bethlehem-based firm that employs prominent landscape architect Leonard Policelli. Supervisor Anthony DeFranco revealed at last night's meeting that Urban Research has been paid $360,000 in that time period for different projects, including the development of a community park spearheaded by Policelli.

According to the Pennsylvania Ethics Act, a conflict or conflict of interest exists when a public official uses the authority of her office or any confidential information received through that office for the private pecuniary benefit of herself, a member of her immediate family or a business with which she or a member of her immediate family is associated.

"If in fact her son was getting a pecuniary benefit, there could be a conflict," said Solicitor Ron Karasek. "In all due respect, I was not aware that Mr. Policelli was Judy's son."

This relationship was also a surprise to Angle until last month. "Nobody in this audience has attended more meetings than me over the past ten years," he said. "Never once was this ever brought up by her or by him [her son] that 'By the way, there could be a potential conflict and we just wanted to let you know.' They just kept doing the same-o same-o."

Angle told Supervisors that Henckel should be barred from participating in any boards that decide on grants for her projects. He added that, when she was a Supervisor, she steered the Board away from farmland preservation, in which conservation easements are purchased. "Now I figured out why she never wanted farmland preservation," said Angle. "There's no money to be paid to the guy who does the farmland preservation. You just write a check."

Chairman John Bermingham, himself an open space advocate who was elected with Henckel's help, attempted to minimize the problem. "We live in a small town," he said. "It's gonna' happen here and there." He did agree that there "could" be a conflict, but that he and DeFranco have only been on the Board since January.

"She lobbied for these things," countered Angle, "knowing that a close relative would benefit."

For her part, Henckel denied that she opposed farmland preservation, and noted that three Upper Mount Bethel farms are in the process of being preserved now. She also denied that the community park, in which her son and his firm were involved, is open space. She called it a "municipal facility" given to the Township by Reliant Energy, and before she was a Supervisor.

At that time, though, Henckel was nevertheless a public official because she served on the Township's Environmental Advisory Council. She stated that she disclosed the relationship. "A lot of people knew," she explained, though she conceded she "did not advertise it." She indicated her son had just been successful that day in getting a $20,000 grant for trees at the park.

Henckel also questioned the $360,000 figure, indicating that Urban Research had done other work for the Township aside from the community park.

In a conversation during the meeting, Henckel told me may have voted a few times for projects that would benefit her son'e company, but just never thought about it. She also indicated that she spends untold hours working for the benefit of the Township, not expecting anything.

Where things go from here is unclear. Angle believes the District Attorney or Ethics Commission should investigate, but Supervisors took no action at this point.

The open space movement appears to have created its own industry in which "land preservation boards' or "environmental advisory councils" are formed in which members vote to preserve each other's properties at taxpayer expense.

Much more oversight is needed than currently exists. That's why watchdogs like Ron Angle in Upper Mount Bethel and Vince Foglia in Williams Township are essential.

Williams Tp Drops Taxes, Cancels Cliffland Preservation

The Chrin Landfill giveth, and the Chrin Landfill taketh away.

Two years ago, Williams Township Supervisors' Chair George Washburn was none too pleased when the Township was forced to raise taxes from 2.25 to 4 mills, when funds from Chrin dropped precipitously. Well, that war is finally over, and Supervisors voted last night to return to the 2.25 millage rate in existence two years ago.

A mill is $1 of tax on every $1,000 of taxable property value. So a home assessed at $100,000 can expect a $225 tax bill instead of the current $400.

I was there because Supervisors were slated to vote on rescinding a vote to preserve an 18-acre tract along Hexenkopf Road, known as the Morrow tract.

This property is located along steep slopes and is bisected by an overhead utility easement. Under the local zoning ordinance, no more than two homes at most could be built there without getting a variance.

Instead of tying to preserve land in 68 different subdivisions already approved for development, the Land preservation Board appears to have a love affair with cliffs.

This is the same goofy group that also tried to con Northampton County into going along with a $319,970 handout to wealth management specialist and real estate flipper Michael Glovas in exchange for a "conservation easement" on the 72 acres surrounding his palatial estate at 590 Browns Drive in Williams Township. NorCo tabled the proposal, and that got Supervisor Vince Foglia interested.

That was bad news for Rob Schmidt's Land Preservation Board.

His group, who seem to delight in preserving each other's properties, obtained an appraisal that came in a tad too low for the owner, so they went out and got another. Then they got a third.

What they don't know is that Foglia had one of the Lehigh Valley's most respected appraisers review all three, and his conclusion can be aptly summed up in one word - Horseshit!

In addition to completely violating the Second Class township Code, this Board kept the low appraisal away from the County and state DCNR. The comparables used against cliffs were flat and working farms in Bucks County, where land goes for a gazillion dollars an acre.

A month ago, Schmidt asked for and got a delay so they could possibly bring in their appraiser to educate is all on the error of our ways. That didn't happen. Instead, Schmidt sought another delay so that the Township Solicitor cold determine how many legal errors Foglia had committed.

Isidore Mineo, who likes to deliver lengthy lectures, last night instructed the board that these cliffs could be farms for goofy things like arugula.

By a 2-1 vote, Supervisors pulled the plug on what really is a bad preservation idea.

Williams has preserved enough cliffs.

Williams Township Introduces Miraculous 60% Tax Cut

L to R: Vince Foglia, George Washburn and Ray Ahert

As most of you know, I love chaos and misery. That's why I was willing to risk driving on windy and pitch black roads to the Williams Township Municipal Building last night. Though I got what I came for, I'd be remiss if I failed to fill you n on some very nice things at that meeting. Like the Miracle league. And a budget for next year that seems like a miracle - one that actually includes a substantial tax cut.

George Washburn, Chairman of Williams Township's Board of Supervisors was unhappy two years ago when a news headline screamed "Williams Township passes 2014 budget that includes a 60 percent tax hike" just two years ago. That hike was necessary because the Township was playing hardball with Chrin landfill at the time, and expected revenues to drop precipitously. The tax rate went from 2.25 mills to 4.0 mills, which is still pretty low.

Well the Chrin war is finally over, and at the November 12 Supervisors' meeting, Washburn was only too happy to introduce a 2016 Budget that reduces taxes 60%, from 4.0 to 2.25 mills.

A mill is $1 of tax on every $1,000 of taxable property value. So a home assessed at $100,000 can expect a $250 tax bill instead of the current $400.

"The reason we're able to do this is the settlement we worked out with Chrin," explained Washburn, as someone in the back of the room applauded.

The Budget is scheduled for adoption in December.

Richard Agretto and Bob Lammi of Miracle League

In other pleasant news, Bob Lammi and Richard Agretto of the Northampton County Miracle League thanked Supervisors for an annual $3,000 contribution to help fund a baseball program at the Charles Chrin Community Center for developmentally challenged kids  Lammi, Agretto and Dave Colver, in the height of the Great Recession, were able to cobble together $750,000 to build a rubber baseball field for kids of all ages. They started with 85 kids and have grown to 300 athletes.

After making his presentation, Lammi remarked, not just about the fun that developmentally challenged kids have, but the thousands of volunteers who help them. They include cheerleading squads, high school baseball teams. These athletes walk away knowing that the developmentally challenged are still kids, just like them.

"We're thriving," said Agretto, whose program now includes Fall ball and night games.

Holding the plaque in one hand, Washburn said the award is not for the Supervisors, but all the residents of Williams Township.

Now on to the real reason for my presence. Yet another open space scam. Last month, Williams Township Supervisors finally pulled the plug on a $319,970 handout to wealth management specialist and real estate flipper Michael Glovas in exchange for a "conservation easement" on the 72 acres surrounding his palatial estate at 590 Browns Drive in Williams Township. The bullshit application was based on an appraisal revealing that most of the land was either too rocky or steep for development.

Now Supervisors are poised to kill another grant they already approved - an $86,868 conservation easement on 18 acres at yet another cliff. Because there's been no settlement on this grant, Supervisors can still back out of the deal.

This case involves not one, not two, but three appraisals. The property owner didn't like the first appraisal, so the Land Preservation Board spent $3,000 for another. Then another $3,000 for a third appraisal.

Incredibly, the appraisal establishes value by comparing this wasteland, which includes a major power line and practically no road frontage, to farmland. Vince Foglia pulled out comparable after comparable, sode, according to Solicitor howing that the appraiser, instead of comparing garbage land to garbage land, was determining value by looking at thriving farms.

Washburn appeared to be visibly upset at what he saw. "It's not even close to comparable," he stated. "How can we justify spending money on that? This is illegal."

And that's another problem. Though the state DCNR allows the use of two appraisals that are within 15% of each other, there are three appraisals in this case, and the low appraisal was never disclosed. That also presents some problems under the Second Class Township Code, according to Solicitor Jonathan J. Reiss. He advised that the Township is barred by law from paying more than a property is worth, and must go by the lowest appraisal or the average of several appraisals.

Land Preservation Chair Bob Schmidt asked Supervisors to table the matter a month so they can look at the information in their own appraisals. Washburn agreed but instructed Schmidt that "I want an honest answer. I don't want to hear [that you used farming comparables] because it is zoned agricultural."

In addition to the appraisal problem, Foglia handed Schmidt a list of 68 subdivisions approved for development in Williams Township, and suggested that preserving that land would be a "more effective use of taxpayer funds." He recommended open space advocates to redirect their energies on land "most susceptible to development." He wants them to focus where development is likely or already approved."

He derided preservation efforts on undevelopable steep slopes, calling it a "cash cow" for a "preservation industry" who seems to be most interested in preserving their own jobs.

Williams Supervisors Poised to Kill Glovas Grant

The Glovas mansion

Because the meeting went on for so long and I have to get up early for an appointment, I'll keep this brief. In June, Northampton County Council voted 6-3 to table a $319,970 handout to wealth management specialist and real estate flipper Michael Glovas in exchange for a "conservation easement" on the 72 acres surrounding his palatial estate at 590 Browns Drive in Williams Township. This has prompted Williams Township Supervisors to take a second look at the project. Last night, they voted to send land preservation projects to the Planning Commission before deciding on plans themselves. Chair George Washburn called this approach "one more set of eyes." But they will wait another month before deciding whether to rescind the Glovas grant. Washburn explained he has been presented with "conflicting information."

L to R: Vince Foglia, George Washburn, Ray Abert

Land preservation advocates like Bill Mineo made their pitches. Mineo actually went so far as to argue that whether land is ultimately developable is something they don't even consider in deciding whether a property should be preserved.

Perhaps they should.

Vince Foglia is arguing that the Township failed to follow its own procedures by previously voting to preserve this tract, even though it is not set aside for preservation in the comprehensive plan. This assertion was disputed by some conservation advocates.

One person who failed to attend the meeting is the person seeking $319,970. "I'm very disappointed that Mr. Glovas is not here himself to advocate for the project," observed Washburn.

At the heart of this controversy is a problem created by the preservationists' own appraisal. According to this report,

* The potential for development is nonexistent. This is because most of the property is considered too full of granite and gneiss boulders. If you go down just 60 inches, you hit a lithic bedrock. Anyone who wanted to develop here would need lots of dynamite.
* The foundation of any home would need to be seven feet below the surface. Because of the rocky terrain, that would be cost prohibitive.
* The potential for basements on 56.9 acres of this property is "very limited" with 8-55% slopes that are "very bouldery."
* The ability to construct sand mounds for septic on this "very bouldery" 56.9 acres is "very limited."
* The same 56.9 acres would be lousy for farming as well.

Land Preservation Board Chair Bob Schmidt attempted to counter that last night by pointing to one part of the appraisal claiming that 84% of the land could be developed. But at what cost?

Ray Abert is the sole Supervisor who supports the grant. He told his colleagues that he walked the property and, in his view, it can be developed.

Washburn countered that any property can be developed, but questioned whether this project is economically feasible.

"This is a bad preservation project," argued Foglia. "We have a duty to correct our mistake."

Pa's Clean and Green - a 90% Tax Break For the Wealthy

Pennsylvania's Clean and Green Program is a preferential assessment given to property owners with larger tracts of land. In many instances, it gives farmers a break. But in many more, it is a handout to the wealthy at the expense of everyone else.

Statewide, 9.3 million acres are enrolled. In Northampton County, 3,490 properties are in the Act 319 program, with a smaller and still undetermined number in the similar Act 515 program. The tax on these properties is about 10% what it would be without this program.

This tax break is provided for properties that are in agricultural use, agricultural reserve or forest reserve. Northampton County considers all land not used in active farming as agricultural reserve so long as it is "open to the public for that use, without charge or fee, on a nondiscriminatory basis." If a property owner decides to develop, he must pay back the 90% difference, with interest.

While this is a laudable program, it appears to have been perverted. There are huge tracts with private golf courses and swimming pools, and some of these properties are posted against trespassing. I see no reason why Northampton County taxpayers should subsidize this sort of classism.

How many of these properties are actually farmed? How many are made available to the public as open space? How many are private preserves for wealthy landowners, with no public access?

Stay tuned.

Williams Tp To Reconsider Glovas Handout

In June, Northampton County Council voted 6-3 to table a $319,970 handout to wealth management specialist and real estate flipper Michael Glovas in exchange for a "conservation easement" on the 72 acres surrounding his palatial estate at 590 Browns Drive in Williams Township. Except for the area around the mansion, an appraisal makes clear that the tract can never be developed. It is too full of boulders and steep slopes to permit basements or septic system without cost prohibitive measures.

At their meeting on July 8, Williams Township's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in support of Vince Foglia's motion to direct their Solicitor to prepare a resolution withdrawing any financial commitment to the project. While that does not mean it's going to happen, it will be discussed. Supervisors seem concerned that the process being used, which does not include the Township's Planning Commission is wrong.

"We don't have to spend taxpayer money on scrap land, when we can spend it on farmland, which is most amenable to development in the immediate future," argued Foglia.

Land Preservation Board Chair Robert Schmidt, was visibly irate during the meeting. He derided Foglia for relying on an "Internet blog." He also told Foglia to "read the Supreme Court's report on Bernie O'Hare's disbarment proceedings."

I think that's already required reading in every grade school.

"Does that make his article in the newspaper false?" asked Foglia.

Schmidt had no reply. He instead demanded an apology from Foglia for calling his Board corrupt on this blog, a charge that Foglia vigorously and effectively refuted.

A review of the blogs concerning the Glovas handout demonstrates that Foglia at no time called any of them corrupt. But I have criticized their self-dealing in preserving their own properties, and stand by what I wrote.

Williams Tp Land Preservation Board Pushes Glovas Handout

Two Williams Township Land Preservation Board members apparently never got the word that the Glovas handout is too hot to touch right now, and was taken off last night's agenda. They were at last night's NorCo Council meeting. Their Chair, Robert Schmidt, told Council he was willing to answer all their concerns and is providing his contact information. He was accompanied by Linda Heindel, who managed to get a few of her own properties preserved as a member of the board. I decided I'd like Schmidt's contact information, too, so I could call him with my concerns.

I met Schmidt and Heindel in the hallway, where he did give me his contact information. I told him that, according to their own appraisal, this property is undevelopable. He disputed that, but the facts are the facts. According to the appraiser, 56.9 acres are "very bouldery," making the potential for basements or basic septic systems "very limited." He's entitled to his own opinion, but the appraisal says what it says.

Schmidt and Heindel then told me that I needed to walk the property. My response to that was to ask then why bother with an appraisal if you're going to ignore it and go by your own field trip. It defeats the purpose of even having an appraisal. Schmidt wanted me to tell him how I got my hands on the Glovas appraisal, and I refused to tell him. He then turned away from me and walked off, unwilling to engage in further discussion.

Heindel remained and I confronted her about participating in a board whose members seem to be enriching themselves by selecting their own properties for preservation. She told me that's a sign that they really care, although it's unclear to me whether that is the environment or their own bottom line. I turned to leave, but she insisted I shake her hand first. It was pretty clear that she was visibly angry, but she was either trying to remain civil or trying to infect me with something. I'll let you know in 21 days.

Despite Table, Glovas Handout Back on NorCo Council Agenda

When Northampton County Council last met, they voted 6-3 to table a $319,970 handout to wealth management specialist and real estate flipper Michael Glovas in exchange for a "conservation easement" on the 72 acres surrounding his palatial estate at 590 Browns Drive in Williams Township. But it's is still on the agenda for tonight. Glovas obviously has some pals. But the fact remains that this is a bad project.

This property on Brown's Drive, which used to be a day camp called Camptown, is undevelopable. When Glovas bought it, he developed the only land he could to build his mansion. It would cost too much to develop the rest.

I doubt Council was provided with a copy of the appraisal. That was done contrary to the state's requirements for a valuation on a conservation easement. State law requires the County to select the appraiser, but Williams Township did instead. State law also requires the appraiser to "take into account any increase in the value of the subdivided acreage because of the placement of the easement on the remaining farmland." In the case of the Glovas mansion, for example, the appraiser was required to go back to the mansion and surrounding land that Glovas has carved out of the proposed conservation easement and determine how much that parcel would increase in value as a result of the easement preserving the land around him. This is something the appraiser failed to do, most likely because it would decrease the value of the appraisal. In fact, I've never seen it done.

But if the county ignores state law and reviews the appraisal, it should know from the appraisal that this is a bad deal.

* Part of it is in Flood Zone X. This is a minimal at-risk area, but is pretty strange for a project presented to NorCo Council as "steep slopes."
* Zoning is Low Density Residential, which requires a 2-acre minimum for building lots on his 68 acres.
* The potential for development is nonexistent. This is because most of the property is considered too full of granite and gneiss boulders. If you go down just 60 inches, you hit a lithic bedrock. Anyone who wanted to develop here would need lots of dynamite.
* According to the appraisal, the foundation of any home would need to be seven feet below the surface.because of the rocky terrain, that would be cost prohibitive.
* The potential for basements on 56.9 acres of this property is "very limited" with 8-55% slopes that are "very bouldery."
* The ability to construct sand mounds for septic on this "very bouldery" 56.9 acres is "very limited."
* The same 56.9 acres would be lousy for farming as well.

Glovas is a sophisticated real estate speculator who has bought and sold properties throughout the county for years. He purchased this property knowing full well that most of it can never be developed. He is no environmentalist, but is simply trying to get the government to hand him $319,970 for development he knows will never occur.

Even though it was done improperly, the appraisal makes clear that this is a waste of public money that is sorely needed elsewhere.

Noon Update: - This has thankfully been removed from tonight's agenda.

Our Open Space Program Needs More Scrutiny - Part One

Glovas mansion

In Bethlehem and Easton, you might get a free lunch or a cot for the night if you're down on your luck. But if you have property and live in the country, officials will fall over themselves to give you money.

Northampton County's Open Space program is designed for farmland preservation, environmentally sensitive land and municipal parks. Like kissing babies, it's politically popular. In many instances, it is also the right thing to do. But there have been questionable decisions like the preservation of cliff lands and swamps that could never be developed in the Slater Belt as well as last year's bail out of a failed golf course developer in Lower Saucon Township.

The one place I thought might have things right is Williams Township, which has preserved a number of parcels over the years using its own money as well as county and state funds. But then I sat down with Vince Foglia, one of those rare independents who managed to get elected to public office. He is a Williams Township Supervisor. According to Vince and farmer Halden Ballek, it's really an open space scam in which a few people have positioned themselves to get handouts they don't deserve from the rest of us.

This is the start of a series of articles about abuses in what really has become an industry.

Williams Township has a Land Preservation Board that consists of members who have pretty much decided to preserve their own properties..Arlene Koch, Jeff McGuire, Doug Seipt, Linda Heindel and Alan Kirby have all been members. All have had property preserved. I'm sure that each abstained from voting on his or her project, but it's really a game of musical chairs. One hand is very clearly washing the other.

McGuire Estate

What's the big deal?, you might ask. After all, every property gets appraised on both the local and state level. Well, guess what? Every appraisal that's been done, from the inception of the program to the present, has been defective.

Let me explain. Whether it's farmland or environmentally sensitive land, the owner invariably carves out a parcel or two for himself. It might be his home, or it could be land he intends to develop down the road. The state requires the appraiser to "take into account any increase in the value of the subdivided acreage because of the placement of the easement on the remaining farmland." In the case of the Glovas mansion, for example, the appraiser was required to go back to the mansion and surrounding land that Glovas has carved out of the proposed conservation easement and determine how much that parcel would increase in value as a result of the easement preserving the land around him. This is something the appraiser failed to do, most likely because it would decrease the value of the appraisal. In fact, I've never seen it done.

Some interesting points from the Glovas appraisal:

* It's in Flood Zone X. This is a minimal at-risk area, but is pretty strange for a project presented to NorCo Council as "steep slopes." .
* Zoning is Low Density Residential, which requires a 2-acre minimum for building lots on his 68 acres.
* The potential for development is nonexistent. This is because most of the property is considered too full of granite and gneiss boulders. If you go down just 60 inches, you hit a lithic bedrock. Anyone who wanted to develpop here would need lots of dynamite.

Despite these problems, Foglia tells me the Glovas application is actually one of the better ones.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you how residents in this county continue to subsidize these wealthy landowners through a tax millage freeze that Foglia and Ballek both think is illegal. County officials disagree.

NorCo Council Tables Open Space Handout

Chalk one up for the little guy. By a 6-3 vote at their June 18 meeting, Northampton County Council tabled a $319,970 handout to wealth management specialist Michael Glovas in exchange for a "conservation easement"  for the 72 acres surrounding his palatial estate at 590 Browns Drive in Williams Township. Previously, the Open Space Advisory Board voted had unanimously to support this handout, supposedly mostly because of its location in the Hexenkopf Slope and Rock area. Open Space Coordinator Bryan Cope told Council that it's about a half mile away, but a review of Google maps clearly places it more than a mile away. He wanted to preserve it because it is near other preserved land and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has given it high ratings in its natural resources plan. Fortunately,Council was no rubber stamp and had lots of questions. Cope did say that Glovas would allow access to the site even hunting, so long as permission was first obtained.

Ken Kraft saw through the giveaway. 

I dismissed this yesterday as yet another handout to make a rich person richer, with no real benefit to the environment. Today I'll share council's concerns.

Vaughn asked Cope whether this land could be developed, and he replied that about 20-25 lots could be built there. Vaughn doubted whether this is really environmentally sensitive land.

Hayden Phillips, no fan of open space grants to begin with, complained that the public is spending $321,000 for an easement on property Glovas already has."I'll give somebody development rights to my front yard," echoed Mat Benol.

Phillips also noted that Williams Township has stopped collecting EIT for open space and now "Northampton County is running in." Though Williams Township is contributing nearly $48,000 to this deal, that's less than half of what is being sought from Northampton County. "It would be nice if Williams Township matched the grant," observed kraft, who also questioned how many lots could really be developed there.

"Find out how many lots are developable and we'll preserve those," suggested Kraft.

Lamont McClure then immediately moved to table the matter, and was supported by Kraft, Benol, Phillips, Vaughn and Glenn Geissinger.

I'm sure the Open Space Committee saw all kinds of pictures of rocks, bit I'll lay odds they never saw that mansion. This is a perversion of open space.

Open Space - Because the Rich Need Handouts, Too!

Wealth management specialist Michael Glovas, who advises rich people from his Morgan Stanley offices in Easton, has figured out a way to con the government into giving him a cool $319,970 and make his Williams Township estate (you can see his mansion above) all the more valuable. All he has to do is grant a "conservation easement"  and the gummint will fall all over themselves to write him a check. Since none of the land around him will be developed, that will make his remaining property all the more valuable.

Believe it or not, this obscene scheme to help a rich guy become richer is on the agenda at tonight's meeting of Northampton County Council. The Open Space Advisory Board voted unanimously to support this nonsense, mostly because it is packed it is packed with environmentalists, one of whom actually lives on a property that the County paid to preserve.

Glovas' property, located at 590 Browns Drive, is already the beneficiary of preferential tax treatment. One of his two tracts, consisting of 32 acres, is only assessed at $22,400. The other parcel, which includes 40 acres and the mansion, is only assessed at $200,500.

Instead of mere tax breaks, Glovas now wants the government to write him a check. My guess is that they will, too. Last year, in a 5-4 vote, they bailed out failed golf course developer Alexander Patullo in Lower Saucon Township. He ended up getting $1.775 million from various government sources for a golf course he allowed to go to hell.

That bail-out was opposed by Republicans Mat Benol, Glenn Geissinger, Hayden Phillips and Seth Vaughn. But Democrats and Peg Ferraro voted for it. Scott Parsons called it a "no-brainer," although to me, it was pretty lame-brained. Scott has often been the voice of reason on Council, but this is a perversion of open space. Nobody who supported that referendum expected to see it used as a welfare tool for the wealthy.

The reason environments are frothing at the mouth over the Glovas tracts is because they are in what they call the Hexenkopf Slope and Rock areas. But that's nonsense. Instead of being a steep slope, this is a lowland located exactly one mile from the Delaware River.

The whole point of open space is to protect land from being gobbled up by developers. No rich man with an estate and gigantic mansion is ever going to allow the dirty unwashed masses anywhere near him. That land will never be developed. This is nothing more than a scheme in which he can grab a few more bucks from the government so he can buy a few more country club memberships.

This really needs to be rejected.

There also needs to be a concerted effort to get people on the Open Space Advisory Board who will see through these welfare handouts to the wealthy.

Glovas won't even have to take a piss test for this dough.

Marcellus Shale To Fund Greenway Plans in Bushkill and Plainfield Townships

One of Jacobsburg Park's many trails

Tonight, Northampton County Council will vote on whether to spend $77,334.00 in Marcellus Shale funds to finance engineering plans to design a 1.8 mile-long greenway in Bushkill and Plainfield Townships. Hanover Engineering was selected from 98 different engineering engineering firms that had expressed interest.

This is part of a trail known as the Two Rivers Area Trail System. So far, 18 of the 27 mile system is complete. It extends north from Easton along the Bushkill Creek to Tatamy. It picks up again in Stcokertown, and extends north to Pen Argyl. The ultimate goal is to connect Stockertown with Tatamy, and go north from Pen Argyl to the Appalachian Trail.

Marcellus Shale is controversial to many environmentalists, but the impact fees are generating many open space projects.

Northampton County Receives 2015 Conservation Leadership Award

Maria Bentzoni and Bryan Cope

NorCo Council President thought that news that Northampton County recently received the 2015 Conservation Leadership Award would make a great op-ed piece. I agree, but I'm not so sure she'd like this one.

When John Brown was first elected Executive, he met with an environmental group. "I'm not a parks guy," he told them. He proved that, too, by proposing a budget that essentially gutted the County's open space program.Council restored it by taking money from the table games revenue that Brown has been hording.

He's been no friend to conservation, but Northampton County was awarded the Conservation Leadership award anyway. Maria Bentzoni and Bryan Cope, the architects of the County's Open Space Program, were excited to show off the plaque st lat week's Council meeting.

Though these two are probably far more knowledgeable than anyone about the County's open space accomplishments, and could talk about it with enthusiasm and passion. But in a sign of what is wrong with the Brown administration, they were forced to stand and cool their heels while Director of Administration Luis Campos attempted to take credit for their work.

With none of the fire that Bentzoni emits, Campos droned on about the County's remarkable open space achievements, almost making them sound like a bed-time story. He incredibly talked about changes in liocal zoning that made them possible. I'd like to know where he got that idea. But he was accurate about most of what has been achieved.

The County has invested nearly $6 million for 56 municipal park projects; $4.2 million to preserve 1,500 acres of environmentally sensitive land; has preserved nearly 14,000 acres of farmland and has created 23 miles of open, multi-use trail systems.

When Bentzoni and Cope were finally permitted to speak, they credited not just the cutrent Council and Administration, but those that came before them.

We have made great strides and hope to keep going further with your support," stated Bentzoni. .

Let's see how much Brown sets aside for open space this year.