There’s been a change in the line-up in this year’s at-large Bethlehem Township Commissioner race. Democrat Jack Glagola managed to win his party’s nomination with 92 write-in votes. But he was forced to pull out of the race for personal reasons, and has been replaced on the ballot by Malissa Davis, who attends nearly every meeting.

“I am passionate about local government,” she explains. “Traffic, storm water, parks, recreation and the ‘sense of living’ in a place are all influenced most by decisions made at the local level.”

Davis will be facing incumbent Marty Zawarski, a Republican, in next week’s election.

Phil Barnard, another incumbent Republican, is facing a challenge by Democrat Kim Jenkins in Ward 3. Tom Nolan managed to capture both the Democrat and Republican nomination in Ward 1 despite having two Republican opponents in the primary. Absent a write-in campaign, his re-election is assured.

Davis has been using the bully pulpit during Courtesy of the Floor to explain her position on various issues. At the Sept. 21 meeting, she registered her concerns about the PennEast Pipeline, which is currently configured to go right through the township. She indicated that she worked in the industry. Though she acknowledged that the risk of an incident is “very remote,” it “could be catastrophic.” She alluded to a case in which a gas tanker exploded and 20 people died.

“It can happen to the best and smartest people in the world because they are people.” She asked township officials to keep the pipeline away from populated areas.

Later that week, PennEast Pipeline formally applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a permit to begin construction of the 118-mile long, 36-inch diameter pipeline extending from Wilkes-Barre to Trenton.

Earlier this year, the township hired a consultant for a pipeline study, and then directed the engineers to spell out in more detail how to minimize the impact.

Ben Hedrick questioned commissioners about a report that there will be a tax hike next year. Tom Nolan called it a “false rumor,” at that time noting commissioners had yet to see a budget.

By a 3-1 vote, commissioners called in streetscape deferrals that had been granted to CVS Drugstore and St. Luke’s Hospital along Freemansburg Avenue. These include sidewalks, landscaping, lights, and fences that will promote walkability.

Marty Zawarski voted against this measure because he opposes the fences. CVS and St. Luke’s will have one year in which to complete these enhancements.

In other business, commissioners voted 4-0 to send canine Hugo and his partner Officer Bryan Tollinger for K-9 certification training at a cost of $4,250.

The police department reported a prostitution sting resulting in several arrests. During August, township police were dispatched to 80 accidents involving 155 vehicles and nine injuries. The department issued 198 traffic citations, 260 written warnings and 24 parking tickets. There were 34 felony and misdemeanor arrests, seven summary citations and four DUIs.

Michael Hudak was absent from the meeting.