Bethlehem City Council member Karen Dolan, whose alleged conflicts of interest at Fox Environmental Center (Illick's Mill) have drawn the attention of an Northampton County Investigating Grand Jury, has been removed from City Council's Parks Committee, where she served as chair. Council President J. Willie Reynolds announced Dolan's removal in a memo to other Council members last week.

"[G]iven the ongoing Grand Jury investigation and the upcoming discussion of a new lease for the Fox Environmental Center, Council Member Dolan's role as Chair of the Parks and Public Property Committee could give the appearance of a conflict of interest," Reyolds wrote.

Reynolds indicated that he discussed this matter in advance with Dolan, who agreed to the change.

Dolan voted last year for a city budget that includes $5,000 in heating oil at the Fox Environmental Center, where she is the paid executive director. More recently, she threatened Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez that she would keep a new lease for the Mill, one that requires rental and utility payments, from going to city council.

The Parks Committee will now be chaired by Cathy Reuscher. The other two members are Bryan Callahan and Mike Recchiuti.

Dolan's role as executive director at Illick's Mill has also ended. Her last day there was April 30, according to Fox Board Chair Andrew Bollinger. She and her husband, John Chay, are still on the mill board, but are non-voting members. Victoria Bastidas, who has been active in the preservation of the Archibald Johnston estate, has resigned as a Fox Environmental Center Board for "personal reasons."

City Parks Director Ralph Carp appeared before the Investigating Grand Jury last week.