Engineer Phil Malitsch has announced there will be a public meeting of municipal officials and the Department of Environmental Protection Feb. 25 at the Northampton Community College to discuss the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. The company for whom he works, Hanover Engineering, will be attending and the supervisors, administrator and roadmaster were invited.

Five culverts are on the schedule for replacement this summer. Ma-litsch wants to start the permitting process so the township will be ready due to the weather dependent nature of the projects. He said he believes the work can begin in March if the permits are prepared by then.

Solicitor David Backenstoe said he received notice from the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh Township planning commission that they have no objections to the Blue Mountain Drive rezoning project. The project will enlarge the Cherryville commercial district. If approved, the zoning map will have to be amended, with Hanover completing the work.

Backenstoe reported he will begin work on advertising and posting with a public hearing to be held March or early April.

In other business, Administrator Alice Rehrig released a letter inquiring on the insurance costs for the BMX track and recommendations for rules and guidelines. Backenstoe said the township must acquire a letter from the insurance company, not from a local agency.

"We want to be sure they understand what we want to do," he said.

Also during the meeting Roger Spade, fire company president, said of two letters presented for possible inclusion in the next township newsletter, he prefers the longer form because it adds more human interest.

Supervisor Dell Grove also reported during the meeting that the possibility of a fire tax should be included, making it clear other township services such as the roadwork are tax funded. According to Grove, the tax would be a small amount of the actual cost of the fire company.

Supervisor Cindy Miller said a capital improvements plan is needed not only for the fire company but for all township activities.

In police matters, Police Chief Scott Fogel said it has been a quiet month. The booking center is up and running and neighboring townships are using it rather than running to Easton.

On April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a drug takeback day will be held at the Lehigh Township Fire Company. This is for prescription drugs no longer needed or outdated.