An executive session for litigation was the first item of the April 23 Lehigh Township supervisors meeting. The results of that closed session took up most of the public meeting.

Laura Harrier, zoning officer, denied an agreement between Metro Tek and the Northampton Area School District to place a solar facility at two elementary schools.

Energy Alliance was to operate the facility. Harrier said it would be a second principal use and not an accessory use as previously believed.

Metro Tek appealed the decision, believing since the school was already a special exception use the solar panels would be an accessory. Solar energy units are permitted in any zone.

To be an accessory, the use has to be subordinate to the principal use and be customary and incidental. The zoning board said it was subordinate but not customary and incidental.

Because it never occurred in any other school district, a county court of common pleas judge said it was not customary. The matter was appealed to the Commonwealth Court which based its decision on the sentence in the zoning ordinance indicating it was permitted in any zone subject to the requirements of the zone, such as height and impervious cover.

The zoning hearing board cannot file an appeal because it is a quasi-judicial board. However, the supervisors can file a petition for review with the Supreme Court.

The zoning solicitor, James Preston, was authorized to file a petition. The court accepts only a limited number of petitions each year. Preston has two weeks to file a petition.

In response to a question, Solicitor David Backenstoe said it would cost $1,000 to file but if the case is accepted there will be other costs. Residents were in favor of spending the $1,000. The solar panels at Lehigh Elementary would cover four to five acres.

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In other business, police Chief Scott Fogel reported there have been a number of burglaries, not only in Lehigh but in the surrounding territory. He believes the crimes in the township are being committed by the same person.

Ten have occurred during the daylight hours in the past month. Someone will knock on the door to see if anyone is home and, if there is no answer, the burglar will break in.

If the homeowner is home and a phone call is possible, call 911, Fogel said. Fogel added he would rather respond to an unnecessary call then have the incident turn into something more serious.

An artist's rendering on the township web site. shows a white man, 18-25 years old, weighing approximately 140 pounds.

Fogel also discussed a MedReturn box in the township meeting room. Fogel received a $500 donation from Jack Bechtel of Bechtel's Pharmacy toward the purchase of the box. It has a pull-down door and drugs can be dropped off without questions during business hours.

Prescription medicines are the primary drug used in drug abuse.

Also at the meeting:

A member of the recreation board resigned. The position will be advertised.

The David Jones and Agape Faith Ministries lot line adjustment was granted conditonal approval.

The bid for sale of a street sweeper was awarded to Livengood Excavators. The high bid was $21,000.

The architect who designed the public works building at Maxatawny Township was scheduled to visit the township and meet with Frank Zamadics, roadmaster, and Alice Rehrig, township manager. Zamadics admires the architect's design and believes it is what Lehigh needs.

Officials are reviewing resumes for part-time summer work.