Lehigh Township Supervisor Darryl Snover has been studying bog turtles and how culverts affect them.

At the July 8 meeting, Snover said a search that was conducted revealed no bog turtles exist in township culvert areas.

Information gathered must now be presented to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency and the Department of Environmental Protection so a permit can be issued for the culverts.

In other business, Engineer Phil Malitsch said a group of investors plan to purchase a swath of lots from a bank that took over a planned development at Coat Bridge Lane and Kensington Circle.

The flood plain revision ordinance was adopted and in a form acceptable by the state.

Township Manager Alice Rehrig said a bucket truck failed inspection. The eight- or nine-year-old hoses that raise and lower the bucket are weakening through wear and tear.

She asked the supervisors if they desired to remove the truck from service or accept an estimate for repairs.

Supervisor Keith Hantz said the bucket is used frequently by public works personnel for overhead tree trimming.

Snover said delaying the purchase will not save money. A motion to repair the truck was approved.

Roger Spadt, fire company president, asked if $23,092 could be used from the truck replacement fund to repair the 1998 pumper. There has been structural and paint damage from a minor accident and from general use.

Supervisor Sandra Hopkins said insurance should take care of the accident damage.

Supervisor Keith Hantz said they want both the accident damage and other repair work done at the same time because the vehicle will have to be taken out of service only once.

Hopkins questioned the cost of the paint. She was told it is fire-quality finish paint.

Police Chief Scott Fogel said he checked the bridge approach on Sycamore Drive. He said there is minimal traffic. A warning sign with a speed limit of 20 m.p.h. can be erected without a road study. The sign was approved.

Social media is becoming more of a source of information. It brings a lot of attention to police matters. A notice was distributed regarding an aggressive driver campaign involving issues such as tailgating, lights and mobile awareness.

Hantz said the supervisors need more documentation before hiring another police officer. Fogel said he would provide further information.

Malitsch said there are discrepancies between the plan the township has for the Cherryville Development (Turkey Hill) and the other development plan sent to PennDOT. There has been no second submission to the township.

Bethany Wesleyan Church requested a new driveway about two years ago and it was deferred. The planning commission requested a fourth turn lane as the developer works on the other lane.

Malitsch recommended the supervisors work with township and PennDOT, but indicated permits should be applied at the same time. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission may have funding available for the fourth leg.

Malitsch said he talked to Turkey Hill attorney Jim Preston and assured him the township will help.

All agreed that communication and consistency must be resolved.

Snover said they agreed the capital improvement plan was required and there was no alternative but to allow Rehrig to work on it. After the August deadline, the budget for 2015 will begin to be drafted.