Lowhill Township supervisors unanimously approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement for the joint purchase and use of municipal equipment with Lynn, Heidelberg and Weisenberg townships at the board's Nov. 7 meeting.

"The reason this got pushed through is we received a grant from Lehigh County good for a new steel drum roller and a trailer," Township Administrator Brian Carl said.

In other matters, supervisors approved the junkyard licenses of R.H. Kressley Garage, Leah Landis and Bruce Mordaunt.

Supervisor Frank Dengler, who is recovering from surgery, was absent.

During the public comment period, Michele Schock of New Tripoli raised concerns about the potential closure of Bittner's Bridge, which was deemed structurally deficient in 2010 according to the National Bridge Inventory.

Without the bridge, residents of Bittner's Corner Road and Wieand Court, including Schock and her family would only be able to exit their neighborhood through the intersection of Bittner's Corner and Route 100.

In addition, Schock said the intersection is a major safety hazard.

"Forcing us to exit our neighborhood via this route endangers us as well as all motorists on Route 100," Schock said. "I would rather take the risk of crossing that bridge and falling into the creek than being run over on Route 100."

Schock requested a safe alternative to exiting her neighborhood be found before the bridge is closed.

'Our understanding is Bittner's Corner Road is township-maintained; the bridge is county-owned, and Bittner's Corner intersects two state roads: Route 100 and Sell Road," Schock said. "That's three organizations that should have worked together and communicated with one another to collaboratively plan and execute a safe and compliant alternative prior to the failure of Bittner's Bridge."

In response, Brian Carl alluded to a call he received from Glenn Solt, director of general services at Lehigh County, who told Carl the county had the funds to replace the bridge.

However, according to Carl, the county is looking for money-saving alternatives as Bittner's Bridge only takes on roughly 110 cars per day.

One such option would be to extend Wieand Court across Jordan Creek with a box culvert and create a true T-intersection with Narris Road. Until an option comes to fruition, Bittner's Bridge will remain open.

"We're glad you spoke to this," Chairman Rick Hughes said to Schock. "I assure you nothing will happen that we won't know about."