It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Slate Belt Museum in Mt. Bethel, PA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Mt. Bethel, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when”
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“Excellent in every respect.”
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“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law.”
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“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Columcille Megalith Park in Mt. Bethel, PA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Rare Rye Steakhouse or visit Columcille Megalith Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Mt. Bethel, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Mt. Bethel, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Mt. Bethel, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A township in Northampton County nearly rejected a developer’s offer of $50 million in local incentives in exchange for approval to build a massive data center campus.Upper Mount Bethel Township supervisors took a vote to reject a memorandum of understanding with Slate Belt Holdings that included the offer. It failed 2-3. A second vote to accept a revised MOU was tabled by a 3-2 vote.Over 300 people attended the supervisors’ meeting. Emotions ran high as the public had a chance to comment on the proposed MOU. Most s...
A township in Northampton County nearly rejected a developer’s offer of $50 million in local incentives in exchange for approval to build a massive data center campus.
Upper Mount Bethel Township supervisors took a vote to reject a memorandum of understanding with Slate Belt Holdings that included the offer. It failed 2-3. A second vote to accept a revised MOU was tabled by a 3-2 vote.
Over 300 people attended the supervisors’ meeting. Emotions ran high as the public had a chance to comment on the proposed MOU. Most speakers were opposed to supervisors signing it.
Slate Belt Holdings is a partnership that includes Talen Energy and the team from River Pointe Logistics Center.
The partnership has proposed building a data center complex on 754 acres on the former River Pointe property that is bordered by River Road, Potomac Street and Pine Tree Lane.
Supervisors have been negotiating a MOU with Slate Belt Holdings. Part of the MOU includes the township working to amend its zoning ordinance to include definitions and regulations for data centers in the township’s industrial zones.
The township zoning officer has already determined that data centers are a permitted use covered under the category of high technology industries.
However, it may be more appealing to potential data center users if data centers are defined clearly in the township ordinance.
Slate Belt Holdings would pledge $50 million to township causes if the data center campus reaches its goal of generating two gigawatts of computing capacity, according to the draft MOU.
Formal plans have not been submitted to the township yet, but a validity challenge application to the township’s Zoning Hearing Board shows a plan of 23 data center pads. Each pad is shown with a footprint of 201,000 square feet.
Slate Belt Holdings validity challenge argues that the current zoning ordinance is exclusionary with respect to data center uses and seeks a favorable determination from the zoning hearing board.
Supervisor Jonathan Erler said he wants to get the MOU signed before the zoning hearing board has a chance to decide on the validity challenge.
The MOU will give the township time to create a zoning amendment to specify data centers and include regulations with township oversight on development, Erler said.
If the zoning hearing board rules in favor of Slate Belt Holdings’ challenge, development of a data center can procced without those protections, Erler said. Slate Belt Holdings would also be under no obligation to donate $50 million to the township.
Erler said residents had previously been concerned that River Pointe would start building warehouses on the massive industrially zoned property.
“I keep hearing we need an alternative to data centers,” Erler said. “The data center is the alternative.”
Supervisor David Friedman said he would not vote for any MOU while River Pointe continues its existing lawsuit against the township and the supervisors.
River Pointe sued the township after supervisors voted to disband the Upper Mount Bethel Municipal Authority that was created to manage sewer and water for the proposed River Pointe development. That lawsuit remains open.
“I do not want to sit down and negotiate with someone who is suing us,” Friedman said.
Friedman and Supervisor John Bermingham voted to reject any MOU. Supervisors Erler, Cori Eckman and Jason Albert did not join them and the motion failed 2-3.
Erler expressed interest in voting in favor of a revised MOU that has been proposed.
However, Bermingham said the public should have the chance to review the revised version before a vote.
Bermingham, Friedman and Albert voted to table the vote on a revised MOU. Erler and Eckman voted against the motion to table.
No date has been set for a vote on the most recent version of the MOU. Bermingham suggested the meeting start earlier than usual as the public will once again be given an opportunity to comment before the vote.
Energy firm Talen is looking to develop a data center campus in Pennsylvania.Local press, including Lehigh Valley Live and WFMZ report Slate Belt Holdings LLC is seeking to develop a data center campus outside Bangor in Upper Mount Bethel Township in Northampton County.Slate Belt Holdings is a partnership between Talen Energy and the River Pointe Logistics team, according to a statement provided to local press.Slate Belt acquired 754 acres of land from River Pointe earlier this year. Up to 23 buildings – each offer...
Energy firm Talen is looking to develop a data center campus in Pennsylvania.
Local press, including Lehigh Valley Live and WFMZ report Slate Belt Holdings LLC is seeking to develop a data center campus outside Bangor in Upper Mount Bethel Township in Northampton County.
Slate Belt Holdings is a partnership between Talen Energy and the River Pointe Logistics team, according to a statement provided to local press.
Slate Belt acquired 754 acres of land from River Pointe earlier this year. Up to 23 buildings – each offering 201,500 sq ft – could be built on the site, according to documents filed with the township, along with a 480MW on-site substation.
Talen Energy operates the Lower Mount Bethel power plant in nearby Lower Mount Bethel Township. The 607MW natural gas plant launched in 2004.
The townships are located on the state border with New Jersey, some 30 miles northeast of Allentown.
According to local press, River Pointe purchased the land in 2019 and has been trying to attract commercial or industrial companies to build at the site. The company has said the site could support up to 15 buildings and six million sq ft (557,418 sqm) of development, located close to a 168MW substation.
The pair are currently challenging Upper Mount Bethel Township’s zoning ordinances, which they claim unlawfully exclude data center uses.
Amazon was reportedly previously interested in developing in the area, and is said to have had discussions about developing at the River Pointe site, a new industrial park being developed at the former Portland Generating Station electric plant. The cloud company has reportedly dropped its interest in the site, however, due to uncertainties around power availability.
Talen began developing data centers back in 2021. Through its data center subsidiary Cumulus Data, it broke ground on a hyperscale facility and a separate cryptomine facility adjacent to its Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nuclear plant in Pennsylvania in 2023. Amazon acquired the data centers from Talen in 2024, and the company is looking to develop a gigawatt-scale campus at the site.
Talen recently had a request to rezone a large land parcel for a data center in Montour County in central Pennsylvania denied by local officials.
(The Center Square) – Residents continue to organize against a proposed data center campus in Lower Mount Bethel Township despite developers scaling back the project.This week, Upper Mount Bethel Township officials will hear much of the same regarding a second project that’s stirred discontent in both Northampton County communities.More than 200 people packed the Aug. 17 public hearing for a proposed Ordinance 2026-01, which would establish zoning and performance standards for data centers. While a handful of speake...
(The Center Square) – Residents continue to organize against a proposed data center campus in Lower Mount Bethel Township despite developers scaling back the project.
This week, Upper Mount Bethel Township officials will hear much of the same regarding a second project that’s stirred discontent in both Northampton County communities.
More than 200 people packed the Aug. 17 public hearing for a proposed Ordinance 2026-01, which would establish zoning and performance standards for data centers. While a handful of speakers supported allowing the facilities under strict regulations, most urged supervisors to reject or strengthen the measure.
The ordinance would amend Chapter 27 of the township zoning code to establish definitions, conditional-use requirements, and performance standards for digital and hyper-digital infrastructure facilities.
Township Solicitor Mark Fisher reminded residents that the hearing concerned only whether supervisors should adopt the ordinance and, if so, whether to approve it as drafted or revised.
The board of supervisors is scheduled to vote on the ordinance on Sept. 14.
About two dozen people spoke, with most raising concerns about the township’s rural character, water supplies, environmental impacts, noise, health, and property values.
Community opposition has also been organized by No Data Center in the LMBT, which uses a and a to provide updates on the proposal.
A smaller group urged supervisors to regulate data centers rather than block them outright, arguing that strict local standards, technological advances, and negotiated conditions could address community concerns while preserving potential tax and economic benefits.
John Callahan of Peron Development, speaking on behalf of the partners behind the proposed , said the project was revised in response to concerns from residents and township officials. The new plan removes approximately 350 acres of agricultural land near Gravel Hill Road from the project footprint. It also keeps the campus south of Martins Creek Belvidere Highway and consolidates development near the existing power plants around Depues Ferry Road.
According to the project’s website, the revised proposal seeks to rezone approximately 239 acres:
Callahan stated that the project would use closed-loop cooling without drawing groundwater or Delaware River water, and that developers would fully fund the necessary power infrastructure upgrades.
He said they remain committed to “getting this right” and working with officials and residents to preserve currently farmed acreage while delivering community benefits.
Longtime township resident and former official Ken Brewer reminded supervisors that they represent all the people, not just vocal opponents, and framed AI-driven infrastructure as part of the technological future that will matter most for younger generations.
Ron Engle disputed claims about depressed property values, citing recent home sales near the proposed site in Upper Mount Bethel Township. He also pointed to the township’s negotiations to truck in water as an example of how local officials can condition projects to address residents’ concerns.
Residents, and those in surrounding communities, raised concerns about water security, environmental impacts, noise, and health.
Colleen Carroll carried several posters containing the phrases, “Protect our Land,” “Reject the Rezoning,” and “Say NO to Power Plant Expansion,” along with photos of wildlife. Carroll told The Center Square she lives on the river near the power plant in a home that has been in her family for generations. “We have enough noise from the power plant – we don’t need more in our backyard,” she added.
Denise Wester, an attorney representing several residents whose homes sit across from the entrance to the power plant, said her family has two homes at that location as well. She stressed that the ordinance is not restrictive enough and needs refinement to prevent loopholes that Talen Energy and the developers could jump through.
Wester suggested the ordinance require a joint study on the potential power plant expansion due to the proposed data center 12 miles away in Upper Mount Bethel Township. She urged supervisors to consider Iceotope precision liquid cooling, which she said would offer greater water protection and noise reduction than conventional closed-loop cooling systems.
Wester provided The Center Square with a copy of a memo she sent to township officials that contains 21 pages of recommended changes, including additional environmental and health studies.
Dominic Buscemi framed the issue as going against the Pennsylvania Constitution’s Green Amendment that states “the environment comes above everything else, including private property rights” – and he argued that allowing a data center that harms air, water, or other natural resources would violate that constitutional mandate.
Buscemi warned that supervisors, as trustees of those natural resources, could face liability for approving a project that violates the amendment. He also advocates for a statewide moratorium on new data centers.
Supervisor Chair David Ascani thanked everyone who spoke and closed the hearing by emphasizing his commitment not to change zoning that takes away “any of the ag land from the township, and I’m going to stick to that,” he said.
Meanwhile, since 2024, Gov. Josh Shapiro has gone from fast tracking data center projects to having the “strictest guard rails in the nation.”
On Tuesday, he signed an implementing the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development Principles, or GRID, requiring large data center projects to provide or pay for the additional power they need and meet other environmental, transparency and community standards as part of the state permitting process.
Additionally, state and federal lawmakers are seeking to preserve farmland or have introduced legislation that would place a until strong safeguards are in place.
Dozens of Upper Mount Bethel residents urged supervisors Monday night to reject an agreement with data center developers — only to find out after hours of public comment that a new deal was on the table.The revised agreement, posted to the township website Tuesday morning, contains language regulating water use, requires a decommissioning plan and removes the extension of a tax abatement.Also, although the full distribution of funds from a proposed $50 million community benefits agreement would still be tied to the data c...
Dozens of Upper Mount Bethel residents urged supervisors Monday night to reject an agreement with data center developers — only to find out after hours of public comment that a new deal was on the table.
The revised agreement, posted to the township website Tuesday morning, contains language regulating water use, requires a decommissioning plan and removes the extension of a tax abatement.
Also, although the full distribution of funds from a proposed $50 million community benefits agreement would still be tied to the data center development meeting its goal of 2 gigawatts of computing capacity, the original language around donating to nonprofit causes has shifted to say the money will be for “future infrastructure and/or community-based projects.”
The public didn’t have a chance to review the revised agreement before the meeting, and only learned that supervisors and developers had changed the deal after the close of nearly three hours of public comment. The deal was first publicly discussed two weeks ago.
Township residents who have led opposition to a data center campus proposal from Slate Belt Holdings LLC, a partnership between Talen Energy and River Pointe Logistics Center LLC, condemned the deal. Courtney Gilmour said it “reads like a ransom note” and Stephanie Donnelly said it was “manufactured pressure designed to rush this board into signing an agreement before this community has had meaningful participation.”
Following the close of public comment, Supervisor David Friedman motioned to reject the memorandum of understanding with developers. Township solicitor Ron Karasek asked to clarify which agreement Friedman wished to vote on, saying a revised version had been received that afternoon.
That announcement kicked off anger in the crowd, which had not previously been told that the deal had been changed. Friedman clarified that he was not in favor of any deal, and Chair John Bermingham seconded him.
Friedman said the ongoing threat of litigation made him oppose any deal with developers.
“I do not want to sit down and negotiate with someone who is suing us,” he said.
When a vote came, Bermingham was the only supervisor to back Friedman’s motion to reject any deal. Supervisors Jason Albert, Jon Erler and Cori Eckman opposed the motion.
Erler continued to ask for more discussion on the proposed changes to the draft memorandum of understanding, but Bermingham pushed for the meeting to adjourn, and he was joined by Albert and Friedman in tabling further action.
The township is awaiting an expected mid-September ruling from its zoning hearing board on a challenge developers filed in July that claims its ordinance unlawfully excludes data centers.
Erler and Eckman have repeatedly expressed concern that a ruling in favor of developers would allow the data center campus proposal to advance under the township’s current zoning ordinance, which was designed to regulate warehouses. They have said the memorandum of understanding is the township’s best chance to reach agreement on data center-specific regulations.
Although Erler and Eckman continued to argue Monday night that advancing negotiations with the developers is the best way to win additional regulations, all five supervisors endorsed Bermingham’s call to assign the township solicitor to oppose the developers’ legal challenge to the zoning ordinance.
The township has drafted a data center ordinance, but the legal challenge to its zoning laws has shifted public discussions away from that effort and toward the proposed deal that would end the zoning challenge and see the developers drop other litigation against the township.
Patty Green was among the dozens of township residents who urged supervisors to reject a deal, saying, “They want you to believe they have pinned us into a corner, but they’re wrong” and telling the board: “Do not sign away our rights out of fear of a lawsuit.”
Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum called the zoning challenge “legally dubious at best” and said the township should have more faith in its ordinances.
“It is not unlikely that Slate Belt is exercising the current strong arm tactics and threats of litigation because they are concerned about some of the strong protections already present in the current Township ordinance and are seeking to force a process whereby they can secure a data center ordinance that, in many essential respects, would be weaker than the status quo and would fully allow for the data center project it already has in mind,” van Rossum wrote in comments submitted to the supervisors.
Bermingham and van Rossum also endorsed continued work on the township’s draft data center ordinance.
In an email statement Tuesday, a spokesperson for Slate Belt Holdings said the development team submitted its zoning challenge to “clarify zoning guidelines for the industrial zone” and to “start a transparent, timely process for specifically including data centers in the township ordinance.”
Slate Belt remains “committed to engaging with township leaders and local residents to set responsible, thoughtful performance standards specifically for data centers in the zoning ordinance, and to reach a community benefits agreement that will help strengthen township services and infrastructure in addition to significant real estate tax revenue generated by the project. We look forward to advancing these efforts in the coming weeks and maintaining open channels of communication and collaboration,” the statement said.
Karasek, the township solicitor, told The Morning Call that he received a new draft deal from Slate Belt on Sunday morning, but was not in the office. He then worked to incorporate feedback from Erler, Eckman and Albert, he said, adding that he will now have to gather feedback from Bermingham and Friedman and send those proposed changes back to Slate Belt Holdings.
As to why the public was not notified at the start of the meeting that the draft deal had been changed, Karasek said, “That’s a policy call, that’s not a legal call.”
Karasek clarified to The Morning Call on Tuesday that since he was only able to review the revised version with supervisor and developer input on Monday afternoon he had not yet had a chance push for his own suggested changes, which included wording that the agreement would be nonbinding but would “outline the material terms and conditions for the parties to negotiate in good faith a data center zoning amendment and a community benefits agreement.”
“However, the Board did not get that far in its decision-making process; and, more importantly, I have no idea if this language would be acceptable to Slate Belt Holdings LLC,” he said in an email.
It would have been time-consuming to incorporate news of the revisions at the start of the meeting, Friedman told The Morning Call.
He added that he felt the majority of the crowd had offered general opposition rather than suggesting specific changes to the agreement.
“No matter what was in the MOU, they didn’t want it,” Friedman said.
The spokesperson for Slate Belt Holdings wrote in a Tuesday email that the proposed agreement “grew out of the expressed desire by township officials to work together in good faith toward a resolution on a number of outstanding issues,” adding that the development team has “agreed to changes requested by the township thus far and look forward to receiving their additional feedback.”
There was no discussion Monday night of the possibility of holding a special meeting to continue discussion on the revised deal, and township Secretary Cindy Beck said Tuesday morning she has not received notice of any further public meetings beyond the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting Sept. 14.
Monday’s meeting was moved to the Mount Bethel Fire Hall to accommodate the large crowd after an Aug. 17 special meeting was canceled due to over-capacity attendance at the township building.
U. MOUNT BETHEL TWP., Pa. – The Upper Mount Bethel Township Board of Supervisors on Monday night discussed an agreement that would pave the way for a proposed data center complex and also signed off on legal representation to defend itself against the developer’s zoning challenge.The proposed memorandum of understanding, between Slate Belt Holdings and the township, would end the applicant's legal challenge to township zoning laws and would include up to $50 million in nonprofit donations by the applicant to Upper Mount Be...
U. MOUNT BETHEL TWP., Pa. – The Upper Mount Bethel Township Board of Supervisors on Monday night discussed an agreement that would pave the way for a proposed data center complex and also signed off on legal representation to defend itself against the developer’s zoning challenge.
The proposed memorandum of understanding, between Slate Belt Holdings and the township, would end the applicant's legal challenge to township zoning laws and would include up to $50 million in nonprofit donations by the applicant to Upper Mount Bethel.
In return, township officials would agree to collaborate with the developer on zoning changes and eventually approve the project. Talen Energy is one of the partners involved with Slate Belt Holdings. River Pointe Logistics is the other entity involved in the joint venture.
On July 23, Slate Belt Holdings filed a validity challenge in which the company said the township's laws are exclusionary with respect to data center uses. If the company proves successful in making the case for its validity challenge, it could potentially proceed in building data centers as a permitted zoning use.
However, if the township agrees to the terms of a memorandum of understanding, the developer would drop its legal challenge and work with the township “to maximize the design, economic and educational benefits of the Proposed Development for the Township and its residents, businesses and community stakeholders,” the proposed MOU states.
It also states that Slate Belt Holdings purchased 753 acres of industrially zoned property in the township and that the company plans to build data center buildings, access drives, substations, stormwater management facilities, and other associated infrastructure.
On Monday night, there was debate among supervisors over which version of an MOU was being voted upon, as a revised one “came in” to the township Monday afternoon, according to Solicitor Ronold Karasek. Details of that updated agreement were not disseminated during Monday night's meeting.
Amid discussion about the two versions of the MOU, Supervisor David Friedman made a motion to reject any version of an MOU. That motion was defeated by a 3-2 vote, which means an agreement with the developer still has the potential to be adopted.
“I get why everybody’s upset with the MOU, but this is really going to stop any negotiation and letting them make changes,” Secretary Cori Eckman said, urging consideration of an agreement. Eckman noted that if the township does not sign an MOU and the developer succeeds in its validity challenge, the developer could move the project forward without working with the township on protections beyond those in the current zoning ordinance.
While specific environmental protections were not indicated in the original MOU, both sides would agree to "reasonable environmental protections." Those protections include noise, parking, utilities, height, security, outdoor lighting, construction hours and requirements.
Chairman John Bermingham said the revised version of the MOU would be made available for public review on the township website and during his office hours.
During Monday night’s meeting, the board also approved having Karasek represent the township for the purpose of defending against the applicant's validity challenge. That case is expected to be heard by the zoning hearing board sometime in mid-September, according to township officials.
In addition, Bermingham directed township staff to seek a 60-day extension from the applicant regarding its validity challenge.
At the meeting's outset, a motion to limit public comment to 90 minutes and to prioritize comments from Upper Mount Bethel Township residents was rejected by a 2-3 vote. The meeting was well attended and garnered significant public comment.
Most of Monday night's meeting involved public comment. The board delegated about 25 minutes to discussing or acting on the actual MOU and other business before the meeting ended after about three hours.
Some residents who spoke had a simple message for supervisors: There's no way they should approve the MOU or any data center. Others cited reasons as to why the data centers should not be built. These included noise, electricity and water usage, environmental concerns, and ethical concerns about artificial intelligence.
Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum told the board it should prioritize passing a data center ordinance instead of approving the MOU, which in her opinion compromises the board's independent decision-making authority.
Another person, Robert Dunning, said the proposal would transform the township into an industrialized factory town. He said the corporation would have too much power.
Township resident Courtney Gilmour said the MOU was not one issued by a corporation operating in good faith and said in her opinion the applicant's intention was to hold the community hostage.
Not everyone who spoke was against the MOU or the project. Resident Martin Pinter asked the board what type of future they want for Upper Mount Bethel. He said every generation faces a defining decision and urged the board to separate fact from assumption. He then listed various attributes associated with approving the data centers.
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