An effort to formally halt discussion of an open space preservation program for the next seven years failed last week after a split vote by the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors.

Resolution 2026-9 would have directed the township to cease pursuit and implementation of an Open Space Land Preservation Program unless expressly authorized by future board action for at least seven years.

Supervisor Cindy Miller read the resolution aloud, stating the board had previously discussed establishing a program that could involve “the acquisition, restriction, or regulation of private or public lands for conservation or preservation purposes,” and had evaluated the fiscal, administrative, legal and policy implications of doing so.”

After the reading, the room was quiet.

“I worked with Solicitor Dave Backenstoe on this resolution. I feel we spend too much time on this subject of land preservation in the public comment every meeting,” Miller said.

Supervisor Jerry Pritchard pushed back.

“You can’t take away the right of speech,” Pritchard said.

Supervisor Janet Sheats said she had only learned of the resolution days earlier.

“We were not aware of this until Friday. We should have been notified of what you were working on,” Sheats said.

Miller made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Supervisor David Hess. Board President Mike Jones, Sheats and Pritchard voted no, while Miller and Hess voted yes. The motion failed.

The proposed Open Space Preservation Program would have been funded through a 0.25% earned income tax.

Residents Michael Hock and Zach Szoke first introduced the concept to supervisors in February 2025, presenting a PowerPoint outlining the proposal. The board tabled the matter at that time.

Hock and Szoke have since sought to place the question on the May 2026 ballot. Supporters have argued the township needs a preservation program before land is purchased for commercial development. Opponents have said residents already pay a fire tax and that the additional levy would affect every working resident.

In May 2025, supervisors decided not to pursue the program and directed Township Manager Alice Rehrig not to place it on future agendas. However, Hock and Szoke have continued to raise the issue during public comment at meetings.

In other business, supervisors approved:

• Payment of $1,223,758 to Spartan Emergency Response, representing the remaining balance after $614,968 was previously paid for the chassis for a new 2026 110-foot aerial ladder truck.

• A $4,625 payment to ABE Tree Service was approved for removal of dead trees endangering the pavilion at Indian Trail Park.

• Sewage enforcement services to be provided by Hanover Engineering, with fees set as follows: $150 for permit applications, $250 for system design review, $100 for additional design, $425 for permit renewal, $225 for soil probe analysis, $50 for additional probes and $525 for percolation tests.

• Advertisement of Ordinance 2026-1, conforming with state fireworks regulations.

• Amendments to Chapter 107-7 regarding alcohol in township parks were tabled.

• Supervisors also received a letter from Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski urging industrial developers, property owners and real estate professionals to refuse to sell or lease property to the federal government or its contractors for immigration detention centers. Board members characterized the correspondence as political.

• During discussion of a proposed community outreach program, Backenstoe said volunteers could form an independent nonprofit organization to raise funds.

“If you get volunteers to form a group you could start a 501(c)3 to raise funds for this program. It would have to be totally separate from the township,” Backenstoe said.

• Backenstoe and Zoning Officer Roxann Colfer are working on proposed adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code tailored to the township.