As South Whitehall opens the Covered Bridge Park’s rental calendar in January 2017 for the next year, new fees will be in place.

The previous rate, $25 for residents will increase to $75.

The $100 fee for nonresidents rises to $150.

Parks and Recreation Manager Randy Cope, at the Dec. 21 meeting, explained the increase is necessary to cover expenses.

“It costs us $75 a day to maintain the pavilions over the weekends,” Cope said. “We have to have someone come in overtime, two hours minimum.”

He stated there is quite a bit of clean up involved, including getting rid of waste.

Cope said he looked up average rental rates for neighboring communities and found $75 was the average charged for residents.

He noted the township has invested in new roofs for the pavilions and continues to make improvements at the park. While outdoor activities slow down in winter, Cope said the township’s swimming program offered 1-5 p.m. Sundays at Parkland High School is very popular.

In other business, Police Chief John Christman announced his aim for 2017 is to have the department accredited.

“Our goal was to get it this year but we didn’t quite make it,” Christman said. “We’re 95 percent there. We had some setbacks.

“It is a high priority for us. We’ll try to get it done before June.”

Township Manager Howard Kutzler reported The Hills at Winchester project approved for developer David Jaindl along Walbert Avenue is moving ahead.

“They are ramping up to start sales, but PennDOT approvals are slow,” Kutzler said. “They are trying to get sliver rights of way from neighbors so road work can be done.”

In another matter, Kutzler stated township engineer Ralph Russek put together a plan to address speeding issues along Reading Road in response to residents’ concerns.

For implementation, South Whitehall has to work with the City of Allentown on the eastern portion of Reading Road.