At its meeting July 26, East Allen Township’s Board of Supervisors awarded a Monocacy Drive road improvement contract to Nyce Construction services. The $400,000-plus contract is for phase 2B of the scheduled improvements and is focused on stormwater improvements.

“The first phase of the project was awarded to Grace Industries. We will work with the two companies to be sure there is a coordinated hand-off,” township Engineer James Milot said.

Other engineering topics dominated the meeting. The township has a long-standing working arrangement with St. Luke’s care facility on Route 512. St. Luke’s has requested numerous extensions as it tried to make an acceptable stormwater detention facility. Milot announced the stormwater facility is now approved. There are additional plantings needed above the detention pond. Once these plantings are complete, the project can be closed out. The facility has been operating on a conditional occupancy permit.

Township Manager Brent Green said he has heard from two of the three property owners on Debra Court. The roadway is in disrepair. The township is asking homeowners to review options on repairs. One of the options is to make the roadway private. Green indicated two of the property owners are in favor of this option. All property owners must agree to privatization. There are four parcels abutting the roadway, but only one property requires Debra Court for access. The other properties have access from adjacent roads. Any deed changes will be paid by the township. Milot questioned whether the last property owner would go along with privatization. The township has budgeted improvements to the macadam for the winter if needed.

Green presented the board with documentation on the Jacksonville Road Bridge. Chairman Roger Unangst asked for an accounting, contending that the bridge should belong to the county. The ownership details were of importance because the bridge needs major repairs.

After a review, it was noted the bridge does belong to the township. It was property of the state, which abandoned the bridge. The abandonment process in effect at the time had ownership of the bridge revert to the township. Green explained that it never went to the county. The township will look at options for repairs.

The township released escrowed funds to Silver Maple Farms. The development carried the names Hanover Oaks and Valley View during its build-out. The funds released were less than requested. Milot assured the board that the remaining escrow is sufficient to complete the public improvements detailed in the approved land development.

In response to a query from resident Eric Miller, Solicitor Joseph Piperato indicated that Rockefeller Group has not asked for any additional information from the township, which earlier denied a request from the developer to put a warehouse on a parcel owned by the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority but zoned agricultural. The developer filed an appeal, and the appeal remains open.