At the Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council April 17 meeting, township Manager Melissa Wehr was delighted to report the township’s newsletter won a statewide award for excellence at the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

The township participated in the PSATS 56th annual Citizen Communication Contest. The contest recognizes townships that have successfully communicated programs and activities to its citizens. Hanover received second place in the newsletters of townships with 5,000 citizens or less.

Wehr noted Hanover’s newsletter received a third-place award last year, so Wehr said she and her team will try to garner a first-place award next year.

The PSATS represents Pennsylvania’s 1,454 townships of the second class. It is committed to preserving and strengthening township government and securing greater visibility and involvement for townships in the state and federal arenas. Townships of the second class cover 95% of Pennsylvania’s land mass and represent 5.7 million residents.

In other business, Chris Kaklamanis, of the ARC of Lehigh and Northampton counties, presented an overview of the services the ARC provides.

Kaklamanis also provided council and those present with written information about the ARC’s upcoming One Step Forward celebration. The gala is planned for May 16 at DeSales University conference center. Visit arcoflehighnorthampton.org for more information.

The ARC of Lehigh and Northampton counties “champions a life of inclusion, opportunity and equity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through advocacy, education and supports,” according to the organization’s mission.

Council approved animal rides to be provided by the Community Partners 4 Kids at Canal Park May 4.

A bill was approved that amended an ordinance of the statutory code of Hanover Township to prohibit connecting more than one primary commercial building on a property by a single building sewer line. Council also approved a second bill amending the statutory code of Hanover Township to prohibit connecting more than one primary commercial building on a property by a single water lateral.

Resolution 2024-41 was approved, authorizing the township manager to sign an intergovernmental business partner registration for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. All resolutions and ordinances are available for review by contacting the township office.

Council authorized the township attorney to appear before the zoning hearing board in May as an objector to the appeal of a billboard.

The next Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 1 at the municipal building, 2202 Grove Road, Allentown.