Lehigh Township supervisors have moved their meeting to 6 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the capital budget, after the last meeting was dominated with land preservation talks.

The last board meeting erupted into a heated hour-and-a-half debate over land preservation, as residents and board members clashed over placing an open space tax referendum on the public ballot.

Residents Zach Stokes and Michael Hock, who first brought the issue to council over a year ago, pressed the board on when residents would be allowed to vote. The pair previously hosted an informational session at Blue Mountain Fish and Game on July 20 to educate the community, with a second meeting scheduled for Aug. 17.

“We had our meeting about land preservation on July 20. There were a lot of people who attended,” Stokes said. “When is the board going to let the public vote? When will there be a vote from the board about land preservation going on the ballot?”

President Mike Jones responded that there was “no answer yet”; prompting Stokes to remark, “Once again, we get nothing?”

Hock echoed the frustration, questioning the board’s hesitation after residents met initial informational requirements. “Why don’t you want them to vote on this? It’s a citizen’s right to vote,” Hock said, adding, “Are we just wasting our time?”

Jones admitted, “It’s tough for us,” noting the matter was not currently being discussed.

The debate intensified when Supervisor Cindy Miller cited Pennsylvania law regarding local open space taxes. Miller emphasized the legal distinction between municipal options and requirements.

“A local government unit ... may by ordinance impose ... an open space tax ... Revenue from the levy may only be used for the following. The key word is may,” Miller said. “This means the township may choose to impose such a tax, or it may choose not to.”

Miller continued, quoting the law’s stipulation that an open space tax shall not be exercised without first providing for a referendum.

“The key word is shall. This means that if a governing body chooses to pursue the tax, it must first place the matter before the voters through a referendum.”

Miller’s reading drew loud outbursts and hostile remarks from the audience.

Public comment,

budget disputes

In addition to the land preservation dispute, resident Kathryn Mack raised sharp concerns over municipal finances and legal expenses. Mack questioned why Zoning and Code enforcement solicitor Neil Ettinger had gone unpaid all year and was only recently given a partial payment.

“That is a slap in the face. Why hasn’t anyone from the board talked to him?” Mack asked, noting that all township attorneys remained under budget.

Jones explained that manager Alice Rehrig was sending a letter and stated, “We have questions about what things are for.”

Mack further highlighted town expenditures, including $85,000 for labor-related attorneys; $142,355 in police department overtime; and noted that while taxes hadn’t been raised in 10 years, this marked the first year funds were allocated for road improvements.

Infrastructure concerns were also voiced by resident Donald Wehr of Plum Drive, who complained about poor road conditions, lack of plowing, and inadequate leaf pickup. Jones directed Wehr to Public Works director Frank Zamadics, explaining that roads are assessed and prioritized annually based on severity.

Zoning, recreation

• Manager Alice Rehrig presented a revised draft based on previous board input. Solicitor Dave Backenstoe will review the language and further clarification will be sought from the police department.

• Rehrig announced plans to apply for a 2-to-1 Emergency Services Grant worth $20,000 by late August for a new police vehicle. Separately, after a grant application for a new $30,000 municipal building sign was denied, the board granted firefighter John Knobloch permission to seek private sponsorship for the sign.

• Backenstoe reported working alongside Zoning officer Roxann Colfer regarding numerous ongoing township zoning violations.

• Rehrig provided the board with a draft budget for review and requested starting the upcoming meeting earlier.