Official website ↗Pop. 77,027
Last indexed Jun 2, 2026
Next update just now
Bethlehem Township's governance focus centers on workforce cost management and infrastructure maintenance. The 2026 budget reflects significant inflationary pressures, particularly 20% medical insurance increases and 4% police wage growth, while maintaining stable property tax and sewer rates but implementing a 10% stormwater fee increase. Staffing challenges persist with vacant positions in Police (2 officers) and Public Works (2 truck drivers) budgeted for 2026, mirroring similar hiring needs from 2025. The township's revenue strategy emphasizes targeted fee adjustments over broad tax increases, with stormwater infrastructure emerging as a key fiscal priority. Recurring contract expirations for major bargaining units (AFSCME, Teamsters, Police) in December 2026 will significantly influence future budget cycles.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1 JULY 12, 2018 BETHLEHEM AUTHORITY
The Bethlehem Authority Board of Directors held its regular meeting on July 12, 2018, during which the Executive Director reported on two major projects: the Atlantic Wind wind energy project, which involves two ongoing zoning applications at Carbon County Courthouse with hearings and appeals processes underway, and the PennEast Pipeline project, where approximately 80% of affected properties have reached settlement agreements. Additionally, the board discussed forest management activities, with timber contractors expected to begin timbering projects at Long Pond and Wild Creek before the end of July.
Regular Meeting Minutes 1 March 8, 2018 BETHLEHEM AUTHORITY
The Bethlehem Authority Board of Directors held a regular meeting on March 8, 2018 at 3:30 PM in Room B504 of the City Administration Building, with five members present and the Secretary participating via teleconference. The Board unanimously approved the February 8, 2018 meeting minutes on a 5–0 vote. The Executive Director reported on a wind energy project involving Atlantic Wind's second special exception application to Penn Forest Township Zoning Board, with a continued hearing scheduled for April 4, and noted a compensation review proposal with Michele Sciortino in the amount of $3,250 to create new job descriptions and a compensation statement for Authority employees.
Last 12 months
AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, February 12, 2026 @ 5:00 pm Town Hall
Feb 12, 2026
Latest minutesREGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1 JULY 12, 2018 BETHLEHEM AUTHORITY
Jul 12, 2018
Latest proposalORDINANCE NO. 06 - 23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM, NORTHAMPTON
Latest budgetTOWNSHIP OF BETHLEHEM 2026 BUDGET ASSUMPTIONS AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2025
Dec 15, 2025
Regular Meeting Minutes 1 May 11, 2017 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
The Bethlehem Authority Board of Directors held its regular meeting on May 11, 2017, where it approved minutes from the previous meeting and discussed forestry management initiatives. The Executive Director reported that over 900 acres were sprayed for gypsy moths and that carbon credit revenue would be approximately $100,000, substantially below the $225,000 projection due to unexpected timbering activity in monitored plots affecting carbon calculations. The Board also noted the lack of recent communication from PennEast regarding a previously submitted engineering report.
EAST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE ADOPTED MARCH 9, 2016
Mar 9, 2016