Medical marijuana and mini cell towers were topics of the solicitor’s report at Moore Township’s board of supervisors meeting Feb 7. Solicitor David Backenstoe requested permission to draft a medical marijuana ordinance and a mini cell tower ordinance. Backenstoe reported the importance of drafting both ordinances as soon as possible.

After a question on the first issue, Backenstoe stated there will be no legal open smoking of marijuana in the township, but it is advisable the ordinance be completed promptly. Many municipalities are examining the issue and taking proactive measures to regulate marijuana facilities. He presented a long draft of a potential ordinance and asked the board to review it.

The ordinance, when completed, must be reviewed by the township planning commission before adoption.

The mini cell tower ordinance, according to Backenstoe, needs to be done in a two-step process. There needs to be a right of way ordinance and, secondly, a zoning regulation detailing where mini cell towers can be located. Mini cell towers are being installed throughout the country. Complaints in other areas have included the installation of mini cell towers on residential property in rights of way without informing the resident.

The police department report for January indicated 299 incidents with four arrests. Two arrests were for terroristic threats, one aggravated assault and a summary harassment.

The fire department reported, in 2016, there were 32 fires and 52 motor vehicle accidents for a total of 233 calls. In January, the fire department reported there were two motor vehicle accidents with a total of 26 calls.

Vice Chairman Daniel Piorkowski said Nazareth Council of Government (COG) reported Nazareth Borough and East Allen Township have dropped out of the COG. Piorkowski explained Nazareth dropped out because the municipality is landlocked with no property to expand. East Allen Township offered no reason for its COG departure.

In other news, the recreation committee addressed the batting cage issue whereby the committee requested $1,900 for the township to purchase a portable batting cage structure.

Secretary/Treasurer Dick Gable said, “I have reservations like last month.”

“I think it is needed for safety,” the recreation committee representative said.

“I agree with Dick (Gable). Coaches can police the area. It is an unnecessary expense,” Piorkowski said.

Chairman David Tashner asked, “Would the rec committee be willing to pay half?”

The request was tabled until next month for the recreation committee to decide if it will pay half of the batting cage cost.

In another recreation committee matter, the board voted unanimously to purchase a new tractor for $13,399.

Gable announced Sunny Slope Farm, owned by Moore Township, was sold for $362,000. The 38-acre farm is slated to be a farm in perpetuity.

The next Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting is 7 p.m. March 7 in the township building.