Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors has decided not to pursue a referendum for open space preservation.

Supervisor Janet Sheats, at the Dec. 8 meeting, made a motion to advertise a referendum — but there was no second and the motion died.

Some residents were glad; others argued about the need for a referendum.

“I don’t understand,” Zach Szoke, a resident, said. “You already voted for this. Everyone should be allowed to vote.”

“The topic is dead. Let’s move on,” Supervisor Cindy Miller said.

Miller was running the meeting in absence of Chairman Mike Jones.

In other business, supervisors approved the 2026 budget with a 1-mill increase and fire tax. It was reported in November the increase would be used to hire an additional police officer and address road repairs.

Officer In Charge John Henry told the board the department currently has nine officers, though it needs 12 to be fully staffed. He has since been named police chief.

“We have not been steady at full force since 2014,” Henry said. “Our sergeants have a lot of office duties. They are not able to patrol.”

Sheats stressed the urgency of rebuilding the force.

“We really need our police department at full staff,” she said. “Beyond the budgetary impact, the reliance on excessive overtime directly contributes to distress and burnout among dedicated officers, as prolonged and irregular hours diminish recovery time.”

In other business, Frank Zamadics, director of public works, said he has two candidates he may be interested in hiring.

“I would like them to come in for interview,” Zamadics said.

Miller noted the hiring is included in the budget.

Under the recreation report, Sandy Hopkins said, “The tree lighting went very well. Scouts made s’mores, Fish and Game made chili, the Lions Club did a candy cane hunt. Next year, we would like to start 3 p.m. We are hoping it will be not as cold.”

Roxann Colfer, zoning officer, reported 37 new permits were issued for November, and the township closed out seven. Four new complaints were filed.

Colfer is working on the Airbnb issue at 631 Bishops Place, which has been advertised on social media as a party-friendly property. Police were called to an incident there in the fall.

The board agreed to send a certified letter to the past tax collector, Mary Trexler, to find out why they have not received the physical papers from the years she was tax collector.