Township Council Decides to Put House Up for Bid

Lower Saucon Township Council voted at its Sept. 21 council meeting to put a township-owned house at 2038 Polk Valley Road up for bid for six months.

However, there is a catch for anyone interested in buying the house: the house must be moved off the property.

“If someone wants to do this, they need to investigate how,” said Council Solicitor Lincoln Treadwell.

The idea of demolishing the house was discussed, but that would cost the township money.

Council Vice President Thomas Maxfield noted that the house does need some work, calling it a “fixer-upper.” He mentioned that there is some damage to the brick exterior due to weather, and plants growing on the brick.

If the house is removed from the land, the township could possibly use the land for a park expansion or other recreational purposes.

Council President Glenn Kern said he felt if the house was not removed, it could impinge on future park and recreation plans.

“I can’t imagine land is going to get easier to find in the future,” he said.

Councilwoman Sandra Yerger said the population of Lower Saucon Township is changing and becoming younger, which in turn will increase the demand for more recreation in the area.

“The parks are adequate now, but the need for recreation will increase,” she said.

She noted the popularity of and said she always sees people at .

Township Manager Jack Cahalan said that since a discussion about the property last June, he had a memo prepared by Hanover Engineering that provided three other options by subdividing the house. Cahalan also said he obtained a report from a realtor, which provided some assessed values for the three options.

Council looked at those options, but did not come to any clear agreement on any of them.