The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners is expected to hold a last-minute meeting, 7 p.m. Dec. 30, to consider adoption of the 2015 township budget.

Township Manager Randy Soriano said the meeting was needed to incorporate new financial amounts resulting from the recently-approved trash hauler pact with Republic Services, which is less annually than the garbage pickup contract the township has had.

Salisbury Township's proposed 2015 municipal budget holds the line on taxes and funds numerous township capital improvements.

By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the township board of commissioners voted Nov. 13 to advertise the budget.

Salisbury commissioners had planned to vote on the 2015 budget at the Dec. 18 meeting.

The proposed $12,773,070 budget for 2015 keeps taxes at 1.611 mills overall. No tax hike is anticipated.

The general operating budget is to stay at 1.34 mills.

The contribution to the fire fund, based on .208 of a mill, is to be $37.40.

The contribution to the library fund, which supports the Allentown Public Library, at .060 of a mill, is to be $10.80.

Based on approval of the 2015 budget and millage rate, the owner of a home assessed at $180,000 will continue to pay $241.56.

In other discussion at the Dec. 18 township commissioners' meeting, Soriano said:

Township Consulting Engineer David J. Tettemer of Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc., is to begin work on a traffic engineering study pursuant to a $215,239 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant for bicycling paths along Lindberg Avenue, from 24th Street to Flexer Avenue. The project is part of the Lindberg Park Master Site Plan.

The township recreation commission has recommended to proceed with the Laubach Park Master Site Plan with township consultant Urban Research And Development Corp., Bethlehem.

The master plan will set the goals for Laubach, as was done with Lindberg Park.

Phase two of the Lindberg Park Master Plan is underway. Lindberg Phase One, including the perimeter walk, is to be completed by spring 2015.

The township has reached an agreement of $350 annually, plus costs of nets and other maintenance matters, for use of the Lindberg Park tennis courts by the Salisbury Township School District varsity tennis team.

Township Tax Collector Linda Minger is to appoint a deputy tax collector to substitute for her in case of illness. This is required under the Commonwealth's Act 164.

The deadline for custodian job applications was Dec. 19.

Township commissioners are to ready their recommendations for upcoming appointments to township boards and commissions.

In other business, commissioners voted 4-0, with one commissioner absent, at the Dec. 18 meeting, to approve:

- Appointment of Karen El Chaar to fill the unexpired term of Sandra Thomas, who resigned, on the township Environmental Advisory Council. Commissioner President James A. Brown made the motion. Commissioner James Seagreaves seconded it.

- A mountain-bicycling and canoeing race May 3 in Walking Purchase Park. The race is to originate and conclude at Sand Island, Bethlehem. Organizers must get City of Bethlehem approval. Approximately 200 participants on 80 teams are expected to participate in the event, which is to benefit the American Cancer Society. Brown made the motion. Robert Martucci Jr. seconded it.

- First payment of $93,400.20 to Tri-State Grouting, Newark, Del., for Phase II of a $130,000 Sanitary Sewer Rehab Project, to comply with EPA order for area municipalities contracting with Lehigh County Authority. Martucci made the motion. Seagreaves seconded it.

- Financial services agreement with MT Bank. Commissioner Vice President Debra Brinton made the motion. Seagreaves seconded it.