A new vehicle has been added for use by the Hanover Township Public Works Department.

"We start to approach the vehicle weight limits on the old utility truck when we load it," township Council President Frank Dreisbach explained before the April 17 council meeting. "We're going to move the crane over to the new truck because the new truck has a higher load capacity." The new truck is a dual-wheel vehicle, assigned to the public works department. It has an in-service date of April 15.

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At the council meeting, Dreisbach asked for a moment of silence for the dead and injured at the Boston Marathon attack. Solicitor J. Jackson Eaton, who ran in the marathon, added his remarks to council's moment of silence. (See article above.)

Council authorized a temporary agreement for people who use the municipal building

"Solicitor Eaton suggested that we adopt a form that outlines what the responsibilities are for people who use the municipal building for meetings," said township Manager Sandra Pudliner in her report. Council unanimously adopted the new form. Groups using the facility will need to sign off on the form before scheduling a meeting.

Council also held a public hearing on the effects of changes to ordinances governing the water and sewer system. Eaton briefed council on the purpose of the rule changes.

"The state and federal government mandated certain requirements for municipal sewage treatment facilities and we are required by our agreements with the treatment plants to comply with the restrictions," he said. Hanover Township residents and businesses use three surrounding wastewater treatment plants, Bethlehem, Allentown and Catasauqua.

"These changes are to comply with Catasauqua's requirements. We will see requests from the other municipalities in the future," said Eaton.

Private pool drainage is affected by the changes. The changes disallow pool water in the system. According to Councilman Michael Woolley, the water that accumulates in pools over the winter can be dumped into the system.

"There are no chemicals in that initial pool water," he said. "It's the chemicals in the water that caused the ban." According to Councilman Randall Atkinson, the changes do not appear to be an unnecessary burden.

"Most people are adding water to the pools during the summer," he said.

Jeffry Mouer, the township's maintenance supervisor, noted in his report that a new fence is being installed at Canal Park along Dauphin Drive.

"The old fence was damaged in a car accident and we extended the new fence to protect the area," he said. A portion of the cost for the new wooden-rail fence was paid for by insurance funds from the accident.

Mouer also put out a call for seasonal help.

"We are looking for a recent high school graduate or someone in college who can help us out during the summer months," he said. The ideal candidate will be local and would be willing to serve the township for consecutive summers. Interested applicants can apply at the township office.