Bethlehem resident Doug Lander spoke at the March 21 Bethlehem Township commissioner’s meeting concerning “more and more vandalism” that he and his wife have noticed during the past two months at Housenick Park. Although the mansion has been boarded up, he said that gives it an “abandoned and neglected look.” He added that there are huge sinkholes near a parking lot that was just completed for the park, and suggested that security cameras need to be installed.

Lander and his wife noticed vandalism while walking at the park the previous weekend.

When police responded, they told Lander that they had answered a security alarm at the park the previous evening.

Lander produced pictures showing damage that included a smashed window, thrown pipes and splattered paint. Lander said some of the damage has been repaired within one day of his initial report. But he told commissioners that “the repeated acts of those with no regard for history and who do not respect the property of others, leaves us to wonder if the mansion will too soon be a victim of a tragic loss or simply become too expensive to consider returning to some likeness of its former grandeur.”

Lander asked commissioners what they plan to do with mansion. He said he recalled there was a plan, but it is two years old. Michael Hudak disputed that, saying the plan is only a year old.

Township Manager Melissa Shafer’s March report indicates the following facts about Housenick Park:

* The township now owns the driveway leading to the park, and will complete paving this spring.

* Draft plans for the mansion and bathrooms have been submitted to commissioners, and they are expected to decide on the best use of the mansion after reviewing them.

* The township has applied for a $427,222 grant for the park and trails.

* Housenick trustees have asked for a meeting with commissioners.