Lehigh Township Engineer Phil Malitsch told township supervisors at the May 13 meeting that he met with township administrator Alice Rehrig and PennDOT at Walnut and Steeple roads.

A plan submitted to PennDOT to resolve a drainage problem would cost $50,000. Malitsch will work out a proposal to determine if the township or state pays and what amount.

One possibility is to have PennDOT supply the materials and the township do the work.

"The water is coming from a development approved 34 years ago and PennDOT doesn't want to take the responsibility," Malitsch said.

Supervisor Cindy Miller said it was time to get the legislators involved.

Supervisor Darryl Snover said it is a problem for one homeowner that existed for 20 or 30 years. Today the plan would not be approved. PennDOT did issue a highway occupancy permit.

Supervisor Keith Hantz said an estimate should be sent to PennDOT to move the process along.

Malitsch said he met with Solicitor David Backenstoe and a Turkey Hill representative to make sure the plan to relocate Turkey Hill across Blue Mountain Drive meets township regulations.

A public meeting was scheduled for the following Friday. Malitsch said a highway occupancy permit for that property may be hard to secure.

In other business, the recreation resolution was adopted with the discussions from prior meetings included.

The draft ordinance concerning group homes was discussed. Institutional homes and corrective facilities are to be allowed only in industrial zoning areas. Regular group homes are allowed where residential units are located.

The question was raised if the township wants to move residential development out of some zoning areas since it is presently allowed in every zone. The planning commission determined it did not want to remove residential zoning.

A letter of resignation was also received from David Zander, emergency management coordinator, effective June 1.

Supervisor Sandy Hopkins said Scott Rehrig, the assistant coordinator, was prepared to assume the position which would leave Rick Hildebrand, who was the second assistant, as assistant coordinator. Rehrig was approved as coordinator.

Also during the meeting, Hantz said during last year's budget discussion it was decided to increase the hiring of a full-time police officer and a full-time road crew member in the middle of 2014.

The full-time cost with benefits for an officer would be $90,000 and $60,000 for a road crew member. The 2014 budget set aside $75,000 and would require another $75,000 in next year's budget.

Miller said she was opposed of any hiring.

Snover said that a tax increase is needed to help the fire company and build a maintenance building.

Police Chief Scott Fogel said this year's overtime has cost $82,000 and hiring another person would be more cost effective.

Hantz said Roadmaster Frank Zamadics told him he did not want to be out plowing the roads another year, but rather wants to fulfill his job duties as a supervisor.

Snover said road money from the state is expected to increase. He pointed out if a Wal-Mart is built it will result in more traffic and more police.

Hantz said a third summer person is needed. Supervisor Del Grove said the decision on a summer person would have to be decided by next month.

Fogel said he received a $45,000 grant from the Liquor Control Board to pay for overtime and field sobriety testing classes.

Fogel also met with the tow companies and began creating parameters for doing towing at police request.

Lehigh had the second highest collection of take-back drugs in the county with 81 pounds.

The police are holding two stray dogs and are seeking homes for both. It costs $300 to drop off a dog at the county shelter.

Both sets of truck enforcement weight scales are out of use. Fogel said he may be able to match the pieces to get one workable set but will still need a second. A new set costs $7,000.

Rehrig said she is working on a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the work at Delps Park. Malitsch said it can take from three to six months to get the permit with the cost dependent on the amount of dirt being moved.

It was reported that many people are dropping out of the BMX group but work continues.