Palmer Township

The agenda for the meeting included a pledge to the flag, approval of minutes from February 17, 2026, and disbursement of funds for February 16th, 23rd, and March 2nd. Key old business items involved the presentation and adoption of the Bushkill Creek Greenway Master Plan, action on a Development Agreement and Easement Declaration for Shammy Shine (2620 Kingston Road), an extension agreement for Carson 100/200, awarding the contract for Norma Street Phase I Sanitary Sewer Extension, authorization to advertise a Chapter 190 Zoning Map Amendment, and recognition of new Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Members. New business covered preliminary/final plans for Easton Area High School Phase 1 (Athletic Complex) and Chase Bank (2690 Kingston Road), the Palmer Township Environmental Volunteer Award, an appointment to the Recreation Advisory Board, awarding 2026 Road Paving Services, and a resolution authorizing a Green Light Go Grant application for intersection improvements. The meeting also included public comment and reports from various township directors and officials.

The meeting agenda included general business items such as the review of a Curative Amendment proposed by Charles Chrin Real Estate Trust seeking to rezone a parcel from Rural Agriculture to North End Business. The Plan Review section featured detailed discussions and subsequent approvals regarding the Easton Area High School Phase 1 project, which included granting eleven waivers and modifications related to stormwater management and plan presentation standards. Additionally, the Commission reviewed and voted on the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for a new Chase Bank branch, approving four requested waivers/modifications while denying two others. Other business involved the presentation of the 2025 Annual Report and approval of a Zoning Amendment request concerning parcel K8-10A-5A-5-0324. Staff reports covered various planning initiatives, and a public comment addressed safety concerns at the intersection of Hartley Avenue and William Penn Highway.

The agenda for the meeting included reports from various township directors and officials. Old business focused on the security release for the Chrin Bike Path, with action requested to approve a release of $174,768.00 from the Letter of Credit based on the Township Engineer's recommendation. New business items included a resolution for continued participation in the Tree City USA Program and presentation of the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report. The Board also considered appointments to the Zoning Hearing Board and the award of the 2026 Purchase of Gasoline and Diesel Fuel contract. Further items involved action to hire Special Counsel Joseph Bagley and Professional Planner David C. Babbitt, and approval regarding a traffic safety signage request for Stones Crossing Road.

The general business meeting included departmental reports and discussion of several action items. The Township Manager and Police Chief commended Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments for their extensive response during a challenging weekend involving heavy snow and icy road conditions, while also requesting residents park off the street during plowing. The Planning Director reported on Planning Commission recommendations, including approval for a zoning map amendment and updates on various land development submissions, trail planning, and the SALDO update process. The Engineer noted ongoing project reviews were quiet due to freezing conditions, and Public Works planned to resume leaf collection. The Police Chief highlighted the department's achievement of earning the FBI Agency Trilogy Award, recognizing commitment to leadership development. The Fire Commissioner reported on 2025 statistics, noting an increase in volunteer staff, and detailed progress on designing a new rescue apparatus and the next aerial ladder apparatus. The Director of Public Services provided an update on the public bidding process for trash and recycling contracts, with bid openings scheduled for late January and early March. The Director of Codes and Zoning presented a variance request for property use in a general commercial zoning district. Old business included the adoption of an amendment to Chapter 180 Ordinance regarding vehicle regulations following a public hearing, tabling action on the Shammy Shine development agreement pending receipt of an executed version, accepting an easement declaration for MRP Industrial, authorizing termination of a 2009 Development Agreement for 530 Milford, and correcting an error in the 2026 Fee Schedule regarding the commercial property variance fee. New business involved tabling the Preliminary Land Development Plan for Chrin Southeast Quadrant Lot 2 to allow for solicitor review of the applicant's statement regarding Main Street curbing requirements. The Board approved accepting a $748,044 Green Light Go grant for William Penn Highway Traffic Signal Modernization. Authorization to publicly bid the Norma Street Phase I Sanitary Sewer Extension, funded by a grant and sewer capital funds, was sought but failed to pass. During public comment, a long-time community event participant raised serious concerns regarding operational decisions, financial arrangements, and alleged unprofessional conduct by communications staff and the Township Manager related to Palmer Community Days vendor management, prompting a commitment from a Supervisor to review the matter thoroughly. Supervisors also discussed the existence of a data center ordinance and provided an overview of Township operations to a student guest.

The meeting featured extensive reports, starting with commendations for departments, especially Public Works, Police, and Fire, for their excellent response to a significant snowstorm. The Planning Department report detailed upcoming Planning Commission discussions on projects including the Chase Bank Project and Werner Enterprises parking lot expansion, updates on the Multimodal Trail Study, and the closing of the Bushkill Creek Greenway survey. The Public Works report focused on snow removal progress and detailed the current salt shortage, procurement challenges with the state supplier, and the proactive decision to purchase salt and anti-skid material on the open market. The Director of Stormwater/MS4 provided updates on several major projects, including the PENNVest funding application for the Wedgwood Drive Phase 1 Project and the recent award of a $381,000 grant for the 25th Street Culvert Replacement Project. Under Old Business, the project closeout for the MCS Expansion was approved. New Business included the presentation of the Shade Tree Commission's 2025 Annual Report, which highlighted tree plantings and plans to reintroduce a public tree ordinance. The Board authorized the submission of a PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Application for safety improvements along Corriere Road. The Board also considered accepting a Zoning Amendment Request for a parcel owned by Joseph I LP, which involved Supervisor Lam recusing himself due to a conflict of interest; the request was favorably recommended by staff and the Planning Commission. Contracts for the Acceptance and Disposal of Solid Waste were awarded to Waste Management based on a tipping fee of $68.00 per ton (a 32% increase), and the contract for Acceptance and Processing of Recyclable Materials was awarded to J.P. Mascaro & Sons. Supervisor reports noted upcoming volunteer work for the Miracle League and ongoing work regarding energy conservation planning for township buildings.