In his report at the Dec. 3, 2019, Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting, Solicitor David Backenstoe, stated he met with a mountain bike group offering to build a mountain bike trail within the township gratis. The group explained to Backenstoe the trail would be for use by bikers, hikers and dog-walkers.

A long discussion ensued with many questions including safety, maintenance of the trail, hunting season and risk management.

Supervisors expressed uncertainty about moving forward with the request. Backenstoe suggested the board schedule a meeting with the biking enthusiast group. Backenstoe said he was impressed with what the group is proposing and found his meeting with their representatives enlightening and interesting.

By the close of the discussion, the major hurdle was liability should a person get injured on the mountain trail. A meeting with the group is expected in the near future.

There was no police report provided.

The fire department reported 46 calls for the month of November 2019 with eight fires and 72 ambulance calls.

Chairman Daniel Piorkowski in his Nazareth Area Council of Governments report recommended the township join other NazCog municipalities by purchasing the Nixle program. The service allows verified government agencies to send messages to local residents via phone, email and the web. There is a cost associated with the service, but it is considered minimal.

“I think it would be a good investment for us,” Piorkowski said.

The motion to move forward with Nixle passed 3-0.

The land and environmental protection board is preserving about 39 more acres of farmland and about 26 more acres of open space.

Township Manager Nicholas Steiner reported the Ford 550 was delivered; however, the Freightliner truck delivery date has been pushed to February.

Steiner also gave a 2020 budget presentation. He requested a 2-mill tax hike for 2020. The supervisors voted 2-1 to increase the township tax millage 2 mills. The property tax rate will rise to 4 mills.

The Moore Township Community Days committee reported a checking account balance of $5,619. The recent child toy bingo netted more than $2,000 for the committee.

The township recreation committee received permission from the supervisors to seek bids for the lighting of all three ball fields at the recreation center. Also, Steiner said the office received several complaints that the swings were taken down at the recreation center. Supervisor Richard K. Gable noted these complaints come in every year when the swings are removed for the winter.

“The swings go back up in March or April,” Gable said.

Backenstoe explained the new mobile home parks ordinance was approved by the township planning commission and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, meaning the ordinance was ready for a vote. The ordinance was passed 3-0.

There was a discussion on the rain water flow issues on Rabbit Road. Years ago, the township entered a resident’s property to try to correct the runoff. Over time, during a rainstorm, the rain runoff now enters the resident’s front yard, causing flooding conditions.

The township is amenable to correcting the situation created by the township years ago. Backenstoe urged the supervisors to enter into a license agreement to officially grant township personnel access to work on private property.