Line in the Sands

The Nazareth Area Council of Governments (COG) and the Slate Belt Council of Governments are both seeking seats on the County Gaming Revenue Authority that will disburse monies received when the new Sands Casino opens in May according to an article in the Express-Times (read it here).

County Council has currently established that the nine member authority will have eight members from the Bethlehem area in year one.

The two COG's would each like to have one representative on the authority.

The Authority is expected to receive $1.25M per year and the money is to be distributed by way of grants.

Joint Zoning - Worth Consideration

The Express-Times had an article (read it here) about Hellertown and Lower Saucon utilizing joint zoning. The concept is that Hellertown, a borough with plenty of high density and Lower Saucon, a township with more neighborhood tracts and farms, could benefit by having joint zoning because Lower Saucon wouldn't have to have high-density housing, it could point to Hellertown.

Nazareth has a municipal understanding with seven other communities (Bath, Chapman, East Allen, Moore, Upper Nazareth, Lower Nazareth, Bushkill, are included see COG entries), and a comprehensive plan (Nazareth 2030), but joint zoning is not a part of the agreement at this point in time.

While it would be challenging with so many municipalities involved, it is something that could be a tremendous help in addressing growth and preservation of open-space.

Council Meeting (Cont.)

Following the Business Meeting there were more than a few motions approved:

Minutes, bills to be paid, and reports for treasurer, emergency management, ambulance, and zoning and code enforcement were accepted.

Economic Development Committee - approved entity of "Nazareth Borough Culture and Arts Commission" and approved Fred Daugherty as Chairman and Peg Ferraro, Tracey Cox, Rick Smith, Karen Trionfo, Valerie Pearson, Colleen Schoneveld, Chris Thomas, and Jane Marshall.

Also approved the staging of a Soap Box Derby on West Prospect Street (official date to follow later), to direct the secretary to correspond with local realtors related to parking changes in Zoning Ordinance, and a rent tables at the park at the fee of $6.00.

Law Committee - approved Resolution 2-08 endorsing the Nazareth Downtown Association, No. 2-08-a endorses a plan to rent parking spaces owned by the borough, Ordinance 741, which changes the parking requirements for businesses in the borough.

There were also motions to institute a policy of quarterly progress reports from Police, Fire, and Emergency Departments, to seek bids for fencing at the Dog Park, to send a letter thanking Stockertown for its $2000 donation to the Skate Park, and to enforce the borough's policy related to employees, elected, and appointed officials who are delinquent in real estate, refuse, recycling and or sewer fees.

Fire Committee - tabled a motion to purchase and install two decoders and software for use with the Key Lock/Knox Box Rapid Entry System at a cost of $2500.

Public Property Committee - several event/facility uses

• February 10 - use of council chambers by Arts Commission
• August 18-22, use of Park for Horizons for Youth Program of NCC
• July 7-11 Use of Park and pool from 10-11:30 am by Grace Bible Fellowship for Vacation Bible School.
• July 19 use of Circle for Nazareth Chamber for Nazareth Day activities
• March 15 use of Kraemer Field by Nazareth Jacksonian Club for Easter Egg hunt
• March 16 use of Park by Vigilance Hose for Easter Egg hunt
• August 3 use of small ballfield at Park by Friends of Martin Guitar
• July 19 use of Park by Vigilance Hose for Road Rally and Fireworks Display

There were also motions approved not related to facilities including:

• directing investigation into feasibility of motion lighting at Bathhouse at the Park and drop off at the library
• One to approve commissioning of a real estate appraisal at 30 Belvidere Street
• Request for phone and internet in Borough building for the Downtown Association
• The ability to offer a reward to persons providing information leading to arrest and conviction of anyone who performs acts of vandalism to Borough property
• A motion to engage in lease discussions between public property and the arts commission related to 30 Belvidere.
• A pair of motions related to the secure filing of various records at the new borough building

Police Committee - motion to request to start a new list of police candidates. List is to be one year "extendable" list. Also a motion to hire three part-time officers and one to thank those who provided the recent Community policing Seminar.

Highway Committee - advertise bids for road material and equipment. Also approved a motion resetting employee contribution to medical based on the contract.

Ecology Committee - approved the 2007 Report.

Finance Committee - approved lease agreement with Tax Collector for use of Council Chambers for a $100 monthly charge.

Mayor reported there were 35 crimes, 11 criminal arrests, and 32 crashes in January.

Solicitor and Engineer had no reports.

Police Chief Sinclair reported the officers have new uniforms, in the process of moving into downstairs at borough hall, and community policing first step is volunteers and block captains (JD Malone of the Express-Times has an article on the department here).

It was also noted that at the most recent COG (Council of Governments) meeting the focus was on emergency management. It was also noted that COG is waiting for a letter from the solicitor indicating that Nazareth supports mutual aid.

With that the meeting was adjourned.

Nazareth COG Views Possible Expansion

The Nazareth Area Council of Governments is considering an expansion that would in essence see the group being comprised of the boroughs and townships that make up both the Nazareth and Northampton area school districts according to an article in the Morning Call (read it here).

Currently Bath, Chapman, East Allen, and Moore are members of the group, while Northampton, Lehigh, and Allen are not.

The expansion could take some time, just as the initial formation did.

The benefit is shared resources, better municipal communications, and a stronger voice in state government.

Nazareth Council of Governments to Expand?

The municipalities comprising the Northampton School District are now looking to join, merge, or work with those in the Nazareth Area Council of Governments (COG), which includes four of those from Northampton already, according to an article in the Morning Call (read it here).

The regional organizations have been developed to pull resources, buying power, and assist in managing regional development. The full plan for Nazareth Areas 2030 is available here.

Nazareth 2030 Moves Ahead

Also approved at last night's Council meeting was a motion to vote on an ordinance certifying the Borough of Nazareth's acceptance and execution of the Nazareth Area Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan. It becomes Ordinance #733.

Nazareth 2030 is a municipal regional cooperation plan that has been developed to assist communities with rapid regional growth.

You can read the full plan here.

Previous NewsOverCoffee posts on this topic are available here and here (there are two separate indexes, one prior to blogger's addition of tags, and one after).

Nazareth Borough Council Meeting 2-5-07

I unfortunately missed last night's Borough Council meeting (so if you were there, please comment on what we missed).

Both the Express-Times (read it here) and the Morning Call (read it here) reported on the naming of Detective Alan Koch as interim Police Chief.

The Morning Call's Arlene Martinez also reported:

• approved vote to direct Engineer to create bid specs for the emergency system (multi-tone alarm).
• approved vote to direct Engineer to create bid specs for the skate park.
• advertise the implementation agreement for Nazareth Area 2030 (COG).