Bethlehem

As of October 18, 2024, the Township of Bethlehem presented its 2025 budget assumptions to the Board of Commissioners, incorporating wage increases across multiple employee groups (ranging from 3.0% to 5.9%, with medical costs rising 17.7% and pension obligations increasing 55.57%), hiring two new police officers and two truck drivers, and proposing no increases to the millage rate, sewer billing rate, or stormwater fees. The budget includes a tentative hearing schedule spanning October through December 2024, with department-specific budget reviews scheduled for late October and early November, culminating in budget adoption on December 16th.

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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.

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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.

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Bethlehem Township held the first meeting of its Active Transportation Plan Steering Committee on January 23, 2023, to develop a comprehensive plan for walking, biking, and rolling transportation initiatives. The project, funded by a $27,500 WalkWorks Grant (with $42,500 total cost), aims to be completed by September 29, 2023, and will measure success through linear miles of multi-use paths and sidewalks, connected destinations, and enhanced sites. The steering committee will guide the planning process across eight tasks over nine months, including community engagement, policy development, and implementation strategies, with three scheduled committee meetings and public outreach components.

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The Township of Bethlehem, Northampton County, PA adopted its 2025 budget as of December 16, 2024, encompassing multiple funds including General, Sewer, Liquid Fuels, Capital Reserve, Fire Tax, and Stormwater funds. General Fund revenue is projected at $16.88 million in taxes, with earned income tax increasing from $5.73 million (2024) to $6.15 million (2025), while real estate transfer tax remains flat at $1.275 million; licenses and permits revenue is budgeted at $628,500, down from $712,500 in 2024. The budget document provides detailed revenue and expenditure summaries and line-item details across all fund sections, with allocations for capital reserves, public works, and stormwater management.

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The Bethlehem Authority Board of Directors met on October 11, 2018, to approve personnel policy changes and discuss an ongoing wind energy project. The Board unanimously approved updated employee benefits including a 90/10 health insurance cost share, establishment of a Health Savings Account, cessation of deductible payments, and a one-time salary adjustment, resulting in approximately 2% total compensation increase for current employees—changes aligned with City of Bethlehem offerings. The Executive Director also reported on a PFT Zoning Board hearing regarding a wind energy project where Atlantic Wind presented sound expert testimony, with additional hearings scheduled for October 30.

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This is a Spring 2026 newsletter from Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, serving as a community information guide covering local government services, meeting schedules, and township programs. The document includes a table of contents referencing topics such as trash collection, internet installation, stormwater management, community events, park programs, and facility rentals, along with local business advertisements. The newsletter is presented as a partnership between the township and Hometown Press to provide residents with government information and community resources.

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This document provides contact information and procedures for Bethlehem Township residents to submit Right-to-Know requests under Pennsylvania's open records law. The Open Records Officer is Doug Bruce (dbruce@bethlehemtownship.org) for municipal records and Chief Gregory J. Gottschall (ggottschall@bethlehemtownship.org) for police records, both reachable at the township office at 4225 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18020, or by phone at 610-814-6400. Requests must be submitted using the Standard Right-to-Know Request Form available through the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records website, with appeals of denials directed to either the Northampton County District Attorney's Office or the state Office of Open Records.

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The Bethlehem Authority Board of Directors held a regular meeting on November 12, 2015, where they discussed the PennEast Gas Pipeline project following a November 11 meeting with PennEast representatives. The Authority noted that PennEast would implement state-of-the-art safety technology including cathode monitoring, shut-off devices, radiographic testing, and improved pipes, and confirmed plans to bore through rock approximately 120 feet below the Authority's water pipeline, pending geotechnical investigation. The Board agreed to write a letter to the National Park Service and Appalachian Trail supporting PennEast's preferred route crossing the Blue Mountain east of the Authority's waterline.

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Bethlehem Township's municipal news page reports several administrative updates and public notices, including the cancellation of an April 1, 2026 Comprehensive Plan meeting and scheduling of a March 4, 2027 committee meeting. Recent announcements include a snow emergency declaration for January 24-26, 2026 with parking restrictions on designated routes, a police department recruitment for entry-level patrol officers, traffic safety enhancements at Seventh and Dewalt Streets (converted to an all-way stop intersection), and notification of blasting operations beginning January 5, 2026 at the Freemansburg Industrial construction site. The township also made its Act 537 wastewater plan available for public viewing.

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The Township of Bethlehem's 2025 Budget Draft, as of October 18, 2024, presents a comprehensive financial plan across multiple funds including the General Fund, Sewer Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Capital Reserve Fund, Fire Tax Fund, and Stormwater Fund. General Fund revenues total $16.88 million, with earned income tax ($6.15 million), real estate tax ($7.23 million), and real estate transfer tax ($1.275 million) comprising the largest sources. The budget document outlines detailed revenue and expenditure summaries for all funds, with expenditure details and minor equipment allocations included for each major fund category.

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On January 18, 2021, the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners held a virtual regular public meeting where multiple quality-of-life concerns were raised by residents, including issues with excessively loud vehicles and safety concerns near a Route 191 apartment complex. The board approved amended minutes from previous meetings and authorized the purchase of a decibel meter ($150) for police officers to enforce vehicle noise citations. The meeting agenda also included discussion of an ordinance and resolution, though the full content of those items is not provided in the available document.

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The Township of Bethlehem adopted its 2023 budget on December 19, 2022, encompassing six funds: General Fund, Sewer Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Capital Reserve Fund, Fire Tax Fund, and Stormwater Fund. The General Fund revenue totaled $15,976,510, with taxes comprising $15,976,510 (up from $14,868,246 in 2022), including significant increases in earned income tax ($5,450,000), real estate transfer tax ($1,275,000), and amusement tax ($51,000). Licenses and permits revenue was budgeted at $841,700, reflecting increases in electrical permit revenue and other permit categories compared to the prior year.

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