Lehigh Township supervisors discussed police staffing at its recent meeting.

Police Chief Scott Fogel received approval to order the books and tests for officers to take the sergeant exam.

He said, “It takes six to eight weeks to study.”

He is hoping more people will apply for positions.

“We only have 12 on our roster. We need more officers,” Fogel said.

Supervisor Janet Sheats said, “I would like to see a break down of how much it costs for overtime verses a part-time officer.”

The supervisors discussed the Earned Income Tax Referendum Process for Farmland/Open Space Preservation.

Supervisor David Hess said, “That would be .25% a year. We need more police officers instead.”

Hess asked officer John Ross, who was attending the meeting, “how many times over the years have you had to be alone on shifts.” Ross said, “A lot in my almost 20 years.”

Supervisor Janet Sheats said, “I agree. It’s all about protecting the community and our officers. We need more police officers.”

In other business the board approved:

• An extension for recording to LTMA Pennsville Booster Station until Dec. 31, for the waste water treatment plant.

• Northern Lehigh School District will be using the Bryfogle Baseball fields starting March 18, while school fields are being upgraded.

• Fire Chief Rich Hildebrand reported 50 calls for the month of January. He attended a meeting in Harrisburg about the wildfire on the Blue Mountain in Lehigh Township. He plans to have a roundtable meeting with all fire companies that were involved with the fire to share with them the information from Harrisburg. The final report of the fire is not complete yet.

• Lehigh Township Fire Company was awarded a state grant of $16,322.

• Payment to Pine Run Construction Payment #3 of $22,150 for fuel tank station.

The supervisors did not approve a change order of $11,722.92 because the invoice did not show a breakdown of things they did and the board felt part of that amount was already paid in the original contract.