At the July 15 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting, council approved ordinance 674, bill 2026-06, that allows for the initiation of a referendum to allow remote voting by township council members. The referendum could be on the November ballot.

A referendum in a democracy is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law or political issue. A referendum may be either binding, resulting in the adoption of a new policy, or consultative (or advisory), functioning as an opinion poll.

The matter facing council is to address the issue of council members who may be out of town on work business, vacation or have an illness that precludes them from attending a council meeting. Currently, a council member can call into a council meeting and share thoughts on an issue but is not allowed to vote on a matter. If council members are not present or unable to vote, it would affect a quorum that could disallow council from meeting to address council business.

Since Hanover Township is a Home Rule Charter municipality that disallows a council member to vote when physically absent from the meeting, the Home Rule Charter must be amended via an ordinance approved by referendum of the voters at the ballot box Election Day.

A Home Rule Charter municipality is a local government that operates under its own locally drafted and voter-approved charter, acting as a local constitution. Unlike a general law municipality that is strictly bound by state laws and codes, Home Rule Charter grants the community broad self-governing powers to structure their government and pass laws, except where explicitly forbidden by state law.

Also at the meeting, council unanimously authorized the sale of the township’s 2023 Ford Explorer to Lower Macungie Township in the amount of $30,000.

The township manager was authorized by council to release a second payment to SLC Excavating LLC for the Sherwood Park pickle ball and basketball courts project in the amount of $165,177.68.

In the township manager report, Melissa Wehr said Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Jason Troutman, of Troop M, and representatives of Flock Company plan to attend an August meeting to provide an update on the results of the installation of Flock cameras in the township and the cameras’ effectiveness addressing crime.

Wehr reported on a meeting with Lehigh Valley Planning Commission that began a review of possible plans to widen Route 22 from the Route 512 intersection to New Smithville.

Wehr also said the township garbage contract with J.P. Mascaro and Sons is up for renewal in March 2027. She informed council members they need to decide whether to extend the contract for garbage collection or put it out for competitive bids.

Council received a request from Wehr that the township’s emergency management coordinator, who is employed by the township, be allowed to attend a Lehigh Carbon Community College-sponsored conference held at Lehigh Valley International Airport and be compensated for attending. Council approved the request.

Council approved paying the bills for July 1 for $171,104.81 and approved for July 15 as $1,336,378.64.

Wehr noted the large number for the latter date was because of capital improvements for various projects in the township.

The next council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the township municipal building, 2202 Grove Road. It is an in-person-only meeting. Visit hanleco.org to review the meeting’s agenda.