The Moore Township Board of Supervisors Feb. 4 meeting began with a discussion about land and farm preservation.

The question was whether the township planning commission should be involved in a resident’s land preservation request that originates with Northampton County. This would create clarity in land preservation requests and act as a guide to the property owner, it was mentioned.

Moore Township is a leader in land preservation in Northampton County. The township’s land preservation success is a testament to efforts to preserve the rural character of the township. Surrounding townships have even contacted the Moore Township Land and Environmental Protection Board for advice about land preservation.

Solicitor David Backenstoe cited several examples why it would be wise for the planning commission to learn of any farm preservation requests made through the county. Currently, preservation requests can be made through the township or the county.

A motion was passed unanimously that township Manager Nicholas Steiner send a letter to the county asking it to inform the township’s planning commission of the names and contact information of property owners making a land preservation request and to also inform the property owner to contact and meet with the township’s planning commission to review the preservation request.

The land and environmental protection board also plans to preserve two properties into the open space program. There was a request for a police presence at the board meetings. The request was granted with no reason provided for the request.

In his police report, Chief Gary West discussed township arrests - one for corruption of a minor and two DUIs.

West also reported the department’s 2005 Ford Expedition’s transmission has failed. The vehicle, with 140,000 miles on it, has numerous problems. West requested and was granted approval to have the vehicle towed to a local junk yard for disposal. He noted the township may receive $400 in scrap value.

For 2019, the fire department reported 46 fire calls, 50 motor vehicle accident calls, 389 total calls and 792 ambulance calls. In January, there were four motor vehicle accident calls, 31 total calls and 69 ambulance calls.

Supervisor Chair Daniel Piorkowski, in his Nazareth Area Council of Governments report, noted the Slate Belt area wants to join NAZCOG. The members of NAZCOG are not interested in the merger.

Piorkowski also reported NAZCOG is planning a right-to-know seminar. He asked meeting attendees not to contact any supervisors about township business on the supervisors’ personal computers because the emails can become part of a right-to-know request.

The new Freightliner truck for the public works department is expected to arrive by the end of this month, Steiner reported. Also, the mold remediation plan in the municipal building has begun. The roof is to be evaluated later this month.

The Moore Township Community Days committee said it has several bingo events planned this spring. It was also reported all bands and rides have been booked for this summer’s Community Days.

Janice Craver was appointed to the historical committee. This leaves one open seat remaining on the committee.

Supervisors approved a drainage easement to allow township public works employees to do sporadic work on a resident’s property. This is an effort to address a long-standing stormwater issue on Rabbit Road that causes water problems on the resident’s property.

It was concluded the township, over a number of years, bears some responsibility in the exacerbation of the water issue.

Backenstoe reported the township will receive about $1,150 from a complex estate settlement for some buildings in the township. He is also addressing a natural subdivision ordinance that addresses properties naturally subdivided or bifurcated by a road.

Supervisors requested an ordinance for collecting delinquent real estate taxes. Portnoff Inc., a private company, will begin pursuing residents who have fallen in arrears of paying their real estate taxes. Begun in 2019, Northampton County does not address delinquent real estate taxes.

Portnoff has a successful record of collecting back real estate taxes, both in dollar amounts and more timely than the county. They can offer monthly payment settlements for the property owner. The contract with Portnoff will be three years. It will essentially cost the township nothing to engage the services.

The next Moore Township Board of Supervisors meeting will be 7 p.m. March 3 in the municipal building, 2491 Community Road.