Hilltown has hired a new Township Manager, filling a position that has been vacant since former manager Chris Christman left last May to take a similar position in Palmer Township, in Northampton County. His successor is 63-year-old Richard Schnaedter, who has been manager of Forks Township in Northampton County for the last five years.  Both are located just north of Easton, and at one time Palmer Township was part of Forks, so named because it sits at the fork of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers.

Schnaedter says he is making the move mainly because he lives in Oaks, in Montgomery County, and he had to rent an apartment in the Forks area during the work week to avoid the long commute.  He says he did not want to be away from his wife and family any more.  He’s also getting a pay raise.  Hilltown is paying him $100,000 a year, compared to $85,000 in Forks.