The Lehigh Township board of supervisors chose Suzanne Hawke as the new tax collector earlier this month.

A 55-year township resident, Hawke was chosen on a 3 to 2 vote. Five applicants were interviewed.

Supervisor Janet Sheats said, “You cannot list Suzanne Hawke as our new Tax Collector. She has not done all the requirements.”

Hawke will take office after she completes the state basic qualification class and examination for Pennsylvania Tax Collectors.

She is replacing Mary Trexler, who stepped down amid controversy. Trexler admitted to not filing timely reports, but cited controversy with Supervisor Cindy Miller.

At the meeting this month, Miller passed out a three-page article she would like the board to consider to be put in the Lehigh Township Newsletter about what happened with Trexler.

Supervisor David Hess asked, “Why weren’t we emailed this before the meeting?”

Hess said, “We informed residents at meetings, and it’s in the minutes what happened.”

Paula Meckes, a resident of Lehigh Township, asked the board, “Why won’t you let people know exactly what happened with Mary Trexler and the taxes? It needs to be published.”

She said, “A lot of residents have no confidence in the board. You need to let people know you worked to make things right.”

On a 4-1 vote, the board also approved a conditional use for BWC Hokendauqua Creek LLC, agent for Michelle McBride Casale, seeking to construct a Principal Solar Energy System at 3367 Pheasant Drive, Northampton.

The approval is contingent on the applicant submitting a decommission plan with a monetary amount for the project when the solar panels run their course of 25 to 30 years.