At the Dec. 3 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting, council heard a report from Carolyn Yagle of Environmental Planning and Design. The group is a significant contributor to the efforts to develop the River Central Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan.

Yagle’s report was to update council about the progress being made by the plan. The plan’s participants are East Allen Township, the boroughs of North Catasauqua, Northampton and Catasauqua and Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

These five communities are working together to develop the first-ever comprehensive plan for their region, shaping the collective vision for the future. The goal of the plan is to develop common goals and objectives for land use, housing, air quality, transportation, recreational facilities and more.

Yagle noted existing zoning ordinances are being updated to factor in new technology and new terminology, improving efficiency and accuracy required in a 21st-century environment. Some ordinances haven’t been updated since the 1970s, when electronics, smartphones, construction material and other sophisticated technology did not exist.

The overall River Central Comprehensive Plan is to have municipalities work together, share information and assist each other by cooperatively scaling up services to address costs and efficiencies needed to have effective, cost-conscious government services.

Yagle said the next phase will be a public review process, 45 days in length, for each municipality. The review includes residents sharing their thoughts before formal adoption of the plan occurs. She noted that, at a recent Lehigh Valley Planning Commission event, it was mentioned Hanover has residential and employment growth opportunities in the future.

Council approved the minutes of the Nov. 19 meeting by consensus.

Township Manager Melissa Wehr noted JP Mascaro provided its 2026 calendar announcing the trash pickup schedule in the township. The calendar is expected to be sent to residents. Visit hanleco.org for information.

A transfer of funds from the catastrophic fund to the general fund was approved, leaving a $250,000 balance in the fund. These funds are critical in the event of a significant weather or other large-scale damaging event.

There was a discussion of a Flock camera amendment, which was council approved. It was a clerical issue correction. The amendment does not substantially change the agreement with Flock and does not change the agreement’s cost.

Flock provides cameras that capture license plate numbers in high-traffic locations in the township. The cameras have been instrumental in solving crimes within the township and beyond.

Council approved the township bills for Dec. 3 in the amount of $268,469.17.

The next Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting was scheduled for Dec. 17 at the municipal building, 2202 Grove Road, Allentown.