In a bloodless coup, Tom Nolan stepped down as president of Bethlehem Township's Board of Commissioners at their April 21 meeting. Almost immediately following that announcement, Martin Zawarski was elected to replace Nolan in a 4-0 vote with no discussion. Michael Hudak retained his position as vice president. Pat Bresslin was absent.

"My time is really being spread thin," Nolan said in a brief statement before his resignation.

"Sorry to hear that, Tom", responded Hudak, who praised Nolan's years of service.

But the writing was on the wall. Resign or be voted out. Nolan admitted as much after the meeting.

"I chose to take the high road," he explained. "I'll do the same thing regardless whether I'm president."

The decision to replace Nolan may have been made after he recently appeared before the Parks and Rec Board to pitch a garden project at Housenick Park. This would have been right after Commissioner Phil Barnard had noted that the board has yet to decide how that park should be used.

Nolan's plan, which was rejected, involved seven different organizations and included cutting down a 40-foot-high oak tree. The project was also located in an area that the township insurer wants roped off for now.

Hudak had scheduled an appointment before the April 21 meeting to discuss things with Nolan. After that, Nolan could be seen in the lobby, speaking individually to commissioners Zawarski and Barnard.

After those individual discussions, Nolan announced his resignation. Nolan has served the township for 35 years as commissioner, planning commissioner and most recently, as its representative on the county gaming authority.

The garden project at Housenick came up again during the meeting.

"We cannot have all these people in our park doing what they want," noted Hudak."We're just not there yet."

"I would prefer they are Township residents," he said, pointing out that the township's Autumn Club is waiting to start these kinds of projects.

"It's just not safe," he reasoned.

Zawarski agreed, claiming this garden project was "too soon, too fast."

Nolan noted that one of these seven groups was a Boy Scout troop, and that most involved are township residents.

"It is up to this board to send a message, positive or negative. They sent a very negative message" Nolan said. "The scouts will not be back."

In other Housenick Park news, Hudak announced he received two bids for replacing the slate roof and associated items at the Archibald Johnston mansion. A new slate roof will cost $335,800, while a substitute will be only $209,000. But Hudak added that no wood replacement is necesary, and the township's bi-annual maintenance is adequate to keep the building watertight.