The Lehigh Township supervisors recently vetted questions from a resident concerning a substantial payment to a police officer in a lawsuit settlement.

Kathryn Mack Perich asked the supervisors, “Was the payment of $245,000 made to Officer Edwards?” The supervisors answered yes.

She then asked, “Where would it be allocated from,” and the answer was they were not sure yet.

The supervisors said they would have to move some money around from the accounts.

The supervisors approved a $1.75 million payment last month to settle a federal lawsuit brought by Jessica Edwards against the township’s police chief, Scott Fogel, alleging that he sexually harassed her, physically accosted her and retaliated against her over her five-year employment with the township.

The township is responsible for $275,000 of that amount, which is the back wages owed Edwards. The insurance company will pay the remainder.

In a complaint filed last June, an attorney for Edwards said she was “singled out and persistently disparaged, belittled, sexually objectified and insulted by Police Chief Scott Fogel.”

The lawsuit named both Fogel and the Lehigh Township Police Department.

Edwards was hired by the department in February 2018.

While discussing finances, Perich also asked the supervisors, “Why isn’t the audit from 2023 finished?”

They said the auditor has been delayed.

House bills

In other business, there was much discussion on House Bill 1976 and House Bill 2045, which are currently in the State House of Representatives.

Both bills deal with multiple unit dwelling zoning ordinances.

Supervisor Cindy Miller said she sent a letter to state Rep. Zach Mako, which stated their displeasure with the bills. The supervisors encourage everyone in the room to write a letter to Rep. Mako to vote no on the bills.

Other business

The Lehigh Township supervisors approved the following items:

• John and Dennis Moyer Lot Consolidation Plan - requests waiver of zoning requirements for open space, recreation areas and community facilities. The recreation fee to be paid only on the new structure. Supervisor David Hess voted no. He thinks they should not have to pay at all.

• Letter from Turkey Hill for withdrawal of plans for a new store on Route 248 in Cherryville. They will be submitting a new plan.

• New maintenance building is expected to be complete soon.

• Motion approved to put out for bids for the 22 acres of farmland at Delps Park and for the solicitor to draw up a lease agreement with insurance. Miller voted no.