Refinements have been approved for the Salisbury Township Police Pension Fund.

By a unanimous 5-0 vote, following a motion by Commissioner Joanne Ackerman and seconded by Commissioner James Seagreaves, commissioners approved an ordinance to change some of the terms and conditions for full-time township police officers.

The changes were made following a recent audit by the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General, which questioned a provision of the township plan having to do with service-related disability benefits.

The plan had provided a benefit equal to 75 percent of the final 36-month average monthly compensation. However, the commonwealth's Act 600 requires a minimum benefit of 50 percent of the monthly salary at the time the disability happened.

Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano, reading from the ordinance said, "Although the plan's disability benefit will generally be greater than the minimum required under Act 600, there are potential situations under which the plan's benefit will not satisfy the minimum."

Soriano, referring to the ordinance, explained, "There could be a time when it won't match the minimum, although that is unlikely."

The changes were approved by the Salisbury Township Police Officers Association, the bargaining unit representing township officers.

In other business at the Feb. 27 township meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve:

- A resolution for the destruction of township records. Ackerman made the motion. Commissioners' Vice President Debra Brinton seconded it. The disposition is in accordance with the Municipal Records Manual approved in 2008 and Act 428 of 1968. The records include: financial, 1990 to 2005; payroll, 1990 to 2005; tax collection and assessments, 1994 to 2005; and certain police records, 1970 to 2011. The resolution, which has a complete list, is published on the township website under the Feb. 27 meeting agenda. "All of ours [police records] were checked by at least two people and they are in cases ready to be shredded," Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles said. "We are also removing each and every paper clip. Those will be recycled," Stiles quipped.

- A motion for Payment No. 2 for the 2013 Double Bituminous Seal Coat Project, at a cost of $18,771.18, to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., Lehighton. Commissioner Robert Martucci, Jr. made the motion. Ackerman seconded it. A $2,098.24 retainer fee is to be returned. "This is a retainer that was held for punch-list items," said Township Consulting Engineer David J. Tettemer of Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc. The work was for the Public Road project.

- The appointment of Kenneth J. Wied as a Civil Service Commissioner alternate. Martucci made the motion, which Ackerman seconded.

Also at the Feb. 27 meeting:

- Brinton questioned a $1,720.36 repair bill Feb. 12 to the township police department's 2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor. "It was parked and was in service," Stiles said. The damage was caused by another vehicle in a hit-and-run crash.

- In his meeting report, Stiles said a prescription drug turn-in program will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 during Community Day at the South Mall.

- Stiles said the federal Department of Justice provided $2,040, or 50 percent of the cost, for township police officers' ballistic vests.

- Stiles said a $3,500 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant will fund stepped-up enforcement of aggressive driving, DUI and seat-belt use along East Susquehanna Street, East Emmaus Avenue and Seidersville Road.

- Sgt. Donald Sabo was a SkillsUSA crime scene investigation judge. "It really encourages them [students] to get involved in the field," Stiles said of the annual high school contest held at the Agri-Plex, Allentown Fairgrounds, Allentown.

- Openings are available for township commissioners to attend the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Academy. "You can experience what we do day-to-day, but without the danger," Stiles said.

- Soriano reported he and Stiles will review 12 resumes submitted for the part-time fire inspectors' positions.

- Soriano said he and Stiles would discuss the township application, due April 14, for a Lehigh County Gaming Grant through revenues from Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem.

- Township Police Officer Richard Nothstein, township and Salisbury School District school resource officer, plans to attend the National School Resources Officers Conference July 13 and 14. "We have a very good program, but we can build it to be even better," Nothstein said.

- Soriano said he will consult with Tettemer and Salisbury Township Department of Public Works Director John Andreas concerning plans to apply for a 2014 Community Block Development Grant, due April 15, for sewer, curb, and-or handicapped access improvements to township low to moderate income areas, most likely in Eastern Salisbury.

Soriano said township Public Works Department retirement incentives, to include a $27,000 payment and $450 per month for 60 months, will again be offered. No one opted for the offer, in effect 2010-2012. "Obviously, we don't want to open it up in winter. But come spring we should offer it," Soriano said. There will be an April 1 to Aug. 31 window for applying. Those 60 and older with 20 years full-time township employment will be eligible. The employee would retire in 30 to 60 days of accepting the offer.

Public Works contract negotiations for 2015 are to take place this year. "I want to preserve that clause now" [regarding the retirement incentive]," Soriano said.

- Soriano is working with the township recreation commission concerning two other phases of the Lindberg Park master plan. This might include inter-park accessibility and a rain garden.

"We will take a close look and make an application for a grant from the Lehigh County Green Future Fund," Soriano said.

- Township Planning Commission Chairman Charles Beck said an antiques, collectibles and newer car show would be held Sept. 13 and 14 in Franko Farm Park.