Nov. 2, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem Township’s stormwater fee has never been popular, and the township’s proposed 2027 budget eliminates it.
There’s no free lunch, though, and the costs would go to the township’s general fund. That would be part of a potential 19.8% tax increase, which is about a net 5% increase after the fee is dropped.
Tonight, the township Board of Commissioners will review five items related to the stormwater fee. Those include votes on stormwater projects, management, engineering consultants and the collection of fees. There will be no need to collect the fee if it’s abolished.
The Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners will meet tonight, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the township municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave.
The agenda is on the township website. Here’s a link to the meeting agenda and below is a cut-and-paste version:
BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2026
7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
- COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
Public comments on non-agenda items should be made during Courtesy of the Floor at the
beginning of the meeting. Public comments on agenda items should wait until that specific item
is reached on the agenda. A 3-5 minute time limit on each speaker may be considered and voted
on by the board at the beginning of meetings with large attendance. - APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Regular Public Meeting – October 19, 2026 - STORMWATER
B. A motion to amend the Stormwater Capital Improvement Plan to (1) terminate
immediately any flood mitigation projects including portions of those projects associated
with corresponding MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) projects, and (2)
minimize MS4 projects but ensure that Bethlehem Township still meets MS4
requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
C. A motion to terminate Herbert, Rowland, and Grubic (HRG) as the consulting engineers
for the township with respect to construction and operation of stormwater systems and to
appoint The Pidcock Company as the consulting engineers for construction and
operation of stormwater systems.
D. A motion to terminate the Management Agreement (stormwater system) with the
Bethlehem Township Municipal Authority (BTMA) dated December 20, 2021, pursuant
to Sections 16 and 17 of the Management Agreement, and for the township to assume all
management responsibility of the stormwater system.
E. A motion to terminate ARRO Consulting and/or HRG as the consulting engineers for
the township for that position as required under the Lease Agreement between the
Township and BTMA dated April 1, 1993, and to appoint The Pidcock Company as the
consulting engineer under the aforementioned Lease Agreement.
F. Resolution R076 amending Resolution R057-21 and R058-21 to terminate the
Agreement with H.A. Berkheimer, Inc., for the collection, administration, receipt and
enforcement of the collection of Stormwater Management Fees.
7. RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
G. Resolution R077-26 awarding the 2026-2028 contract for Madison Farms snow removal.
8. MOTIONS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
H. A motion authorizing the township manager to enter into a three-year agreement with
Hough Associates to collect residential and commercial recycling data and prepare the
township’s applications for Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Act
904 recycling grant applications.
I. A motion approving Contract Addendum No. 1 with Whitestone Associates for
wastewater consulting services at the Johnston mansion.
J. A motion approving the 2027 public meeting schedule and authorizing the township
manager to advertise the schedule.
K. A motion to approve fee proposal presented by SCF Architects on behalf of Reuther &
Bowen for additional work on Johnston Mansion Interior Renovation Project.
9. PURCHASE ORDER, BILL AND CHECK REGISTER APPROVAL
L. Purchase Orders
- PO 20262156 – Signal Service Inc. – BTPD – $4,580.00
- PO 20262157 – Metz Inc. – BTCC – $2,249.00
- PO 20262191 – Industrial Communications – BTPD – $120,000.00
- PO 20262192 – Industrial Communications – BTPD – $2,360.00
- PO 20262193 – Forks Twp. Police Dept. – BTPD – $11,685.13
- DISCUSSION ITEMS
M. Johnston Mansion – National Register of Historic Places - ADJOURNMENT
