The holidays are behind us, school is back in session, the teachers' contract appears to be on its way to approval (I do believe an official union vote must first be taken), and now we're all back to work.
The Borough Council, I believe, has its first meeting of the year tonight (unfortunately despite the conversation about improving the borough web site, it still has Halloween Parade info on the home page, no 2007 meeting dates, and a list of members that includes former Councilman Davis, but not his replacement). The borough has some outstanding issues from 2006, including the final bill for the architect who designed plans for the Hall Park expansion and one not yet discussed, the cost the committee incurred for the services of the engineer, who is under contract with the borough, but paid for services. The architect's bill has been discussed, but for some reason no mention of the engineer's has been made. There is also the planned move to the borough's new facility and the question of what will happen to the 30 Belvedere building.
The NASD has two upcoming issues that will have a tremendous impact on resident's wallets - the 2007-2008 budget (currently an 8-10% increase) and the MS building project (6.5 mills or about $58 million to build and about $2 million per year to operate).
These issues will be addressed on January 8 (School Board), January 9 (Building Meeting) and January 22 (School Board).
From reports in recent days, Upper Nazareth Township is in need of help having not realized it needed a budget passed prior to year end and meeting at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning. It also seems the NASD purchase of land that includes Clipper Field, could mark the end of this facility for use by the community. To the best of my knowledge, Upper Nazareth does not currently own any properties for the use of athletic fields as Lower Nazareth, Bushkill, and the Borough of Nazareth do.
The Library will need to be careful with its spending in 2007 as both Upper Nazareth and Bushkill refused to pay the amount requested and Stockertown and Tatamy do not participate. As much as I support the library, it would be unfair to give them a free pass in regard to running an efficient enterprise. As such, while I don't agree with setting your own payment amount, I do think if these participating bodies have questions or concerns about spending that has led them to reduce the amount contributed, they they should make it known to all so it can be seen if a problem in fact exists. If they are doing it simply because they don't want to pay the full amount, that is wrong.
I'm sure I'm missing something, this morning was a rush, but the kids are off, and soon I will be too. Best wishes for a wonderful 2007 and if you have a topic or issue you want me to keep an eye on, post it in the comments or email me at editor@newsovercoffee.com Also, if you want to share information about youth sports or community activities or about a book you've recently read, send those along too for the info and book club sections.
9 comments:
Welcome back Ross, I missed Nazareth News Over Coffee during the holidays.
Keep up the good work and Happy New Year to you, your family and Nazareth!!!
Joe B
I missed you too! Glad to have you back and bloggin'.
The District already owns the Clipper Field. It is under a lease to the Clippers. No need to worry.
I have heard the Clipper field, yes, is now owned by nasd. However, when Tuskes is finished with the fields in his development in upper naz, the clippers etc will probably no longer have use of the Clipper field. Do not know how true such is but I heard that district will have proirity then and not community sports. We shall see.
Just curious....can someone tell me why Upper Nazareth allowed new developments and did not require the builders to provide recreation space?? Or did they??
Upper Naz didn't require recreation for the same reason they didn't require sidewalks (in my opinion).
They were given a "contribution" to the general fund and waived the requirements. Nothing new there.
I tried to convince them that thet needed sidewalks in a proposed development, but instead, they took money towards a new traffic light at Friedenstahl and East Lawn.
They didn't seem to understand that it's important for sidewalks to exist in a new area (just like playing fields).
Scott
In regard to clipper field, the document the district made available stated the field was a benefit of the purchase of this property. I believe it was owned by and leased from the cement company, not the school district.
If it was owned by the school and used exclusively by the clippers, I'd be a bit upset that my school taxes would be supporting upper nazareth's rec program, especially if I lived in Lower or Bushkill who never use the field.
Upper Nazareth seems to have struggled with forward planning.
They don't mind the new development and taxes it brings to them, but haven't seemed to consider the impact on the schools.
The traffic light is much needed at that intersection, but that is not to say they also shouldn't be providing for recreation and other community needs.
As I recall they came up short on the library funding as well.
The cement company for many years leased the clipper field for like a dollar to the upper naz sports....Now I am sure with the sale of the the land for the new ms came the clipper field attached in the deal. I heard once Tuskes is finished with the plying ballfields in his new upper Naz development, community of upper Naz get first choice there. While the existing clipper field is now owned by nasd and they will more likely get top priority on the clipper field for school sports and not for the upper Naz community usage.
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