Bethlehem Township's population of 23,600 is divided among four different wards. Each ward should have approximately the same number of residents, and the Municipal Re-apportionment Act requires that boundaries be adjusted after the decennial census if there is a major deviation. In Bethlehem Township's case, there is. Wards 1 (5,200) and 2 (5,100) have about the same number of residents, but wards 3 (6,500) and 4 (6,800) have grown. Township commissioners voted 4-0 ___when?? to adjust the boundaries in each ward so that each contains about 5,900 people.

Commission President Marty Zawarski was absent.

Manager Melissa Shafer said a new ward map will soon be available on the township's web page, and pledged to work with the county to make sure that residents know where they need to go to vote.

"It's something we need to do," remarked Tom Nolan, while Michael Hudak said the biggest problem will be notifying voters.

Solicitor Jim Broughal advised commissioners that there was some urgency in getting these new boundaries adopted so county elections officials can notify residents.

In other business, commissioners voted 3 to 1 to adopt an ordinance authorizing a four-way stop sign at the busy intersection of Chester Avenue and Santee Road. That's where a lot of traffic goes into and out of Freedom HS. It is also located very close to the Bethlehem Vo-Tech, East Hills MS and Our lady of Perpetual Help ES.

In September, two East Hills students were stuck by a car at the intersection while involved in a cross-country practice run. Parents had pleaded with township officials for a four-way stop sign, and an engineering study confirmed that there are some justifications for a fourth stop sign.

Resident Barry Roth complained that "[t]he problem is the kids running in the street with a lack of respect for anyone" and complained about "jumping through hoops for two kids." Michael Hudak agreed with Roth, saying the intersection has had very few accidents over the years. But three other commissioners voted for the stop sign.

In other business, commissioners authorized spending $8,450 for laptops in township police cruisers. They also appointed several residents to boards and commissions as follows: Planning Commission - Don Wright and Mark Grandinetti; Municipal Authority - Ronald Gori; Civil Service - Ronald Todd; Recreation Board - Marilyn Minder; Vacancy Board - Frank Pologruto; Zoning hearing Board - Richard Pellizon; and Library Board - Janet Barry.

Finally, commissioners authorized revisions to the township's pension plans to include married gay couples.