The gabion project at Willow Road, on the agenda since the old gabion baskets, rusted through by years of being in the creek and washed out by a storm, has finally been completed.

The final payment has been requested from FEMA, reported Engineer Phil Malitsch at the May 14 meeting of the Lehigh Township supervisors.

Specifications are ready for the new well to be constructed on the municipal grounds. The Department of Environmental Protection wants the other two wells abandoned when the new one is complete. The township will advertise for bids.

Holly Edinger of Envision Lehigh Valley said it is a program of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. The organization is working to create a sustainable plan for the Lehigh Valley addressing an affordable housing, economic development, a jobs and housing balance study, climate and energy conservation and fresh food access. The plans are being developed with public input.

For information, go to www.envisionlehighvalley.com or hedinger@l ehighvalley.org.

Edinger said 140,000 people are expected to be added to the valley in the next 20 years, making long-term goals a necessity.

Supervisor Darryl Snover said the planning commission completes a lot, studying where people work, looking at how far they drive and where they live.

***

In other business, the supervisors discussed replacing a public works crew member who left two years ago.

Roadmaster Frank Zamadics said he previously was able to locate wreckers or run for parts himelf, but now he is working on the crew.

Supervisor Cindy Miller asked if the township has explored working with contracting services.

Supervisor Keith Hantz said the towship has already looked into the idea with lawn mowing services and the work was "terrible." Zamadics said when he began 23 years ago, 13 workers were on the crew. Now there are nine, with more work to be completed with few employees.

Hantz wants to name an assistant for Zamadics to cover times when he may be out. It will be discussed when the full board is present.

Also at the meeting:

· Township manager Alice Rehrig said Penn-DOT recommended an escalator clause in the request for bids for oil and chipping rather than having a contractor provide a price in the future.

· An intergovernmental agreement was signed with Allen Township for the joint purchase of a leaf vac.

· Wages for summer help were set at $10 per hour. For a person who is coming back for the third year, it will be $10.50. The rate will be the same for the first and second years.