Kerry H. Rabold is the new Salisbury Township Zoning Officer.

Rabold, administrative assistant in the township’s Department of Community Development, was zoning officer, City of Allentown, 2018-2019.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted 4-0, with one commissioner absent, to approve the resolution to appoint Rabold at the May 14 meeting. Commissioner Rodney Conn made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Heather Lipkin, to bring the resolution to a vote.

The meeting was held online using the Zoom virtual meeting platform because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing guidelines.

Rabold succeeds Cynthia A Sopka, who retired in January.

In a separate 4-0 vote, commissioners approved a resolution to appoint Rabold as township flood plain administrator, a post typically held by the zoning officer. Commissioner James Seagreaves made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the resolution to a vote.

The flood plain administrator is appointed every two years. Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich oversaw duties in the interim following Sopka’s resignation.

“During the three months that have elapsed, the position has been vacant, but the duties have been filled out by Kerry Rabold,” Bonaskiewich said before the commissioners’ vote.

“Over those three months, Kerry has demonstrated that she possesses the skills, abilities and competency to carry out those required duties,” Bonaskiewich said.

“We have officially appointed her to the position of planning and zoning officer to Salisbury Township. However, as per township ordinance, the appointment of township officer specifically must be formalized by the board,” Bonaskiewich said.

“The township is in good hands with Kerry Rabold as zoning officer. I want to congratulate her on that position,” Salisbury Township Assistant Township Manager Sandy Nicolo said after the vote.

In a phone interview before the May 14 meeting, Bonaskiewich explained to a reporter for The Press the difference between Rabold’s title of zoning officer and Sopka’s title of director of planning and zoning.

Nicolo, who continues as MS4 administrator, oversees the township Department of Community Development, which includes the zoning officer and inspectors. Nicolo continues as township code enforcement officer.

Bonaskiewich said the change in the zoning officer’s title happened after the reorganization of the community development department, which resulted from recommendations made in the Emergency Services Study by Duane Hagelgans, of Duane Hagelgans Consulting, presented to commissioners Feb. 28, 2019. The 142-page report was commissioned April 26, 2018.

A rental inspection program, new software and township properties database were also outcomes of recommendations in the report.

In addition, fire inspectors are now in the community development department. This was another recommendation of the emergency services study. Previously, the inspectors were in the township police department.

The four fire inspectors are Kyle Mertl, lead fire inspector, who does the scheduling and billing, and fire inspectors Matthew Griffin, Thomas Hart and Kevin Thomas. They are overseen by Fire Services Director Dustin Grow, who was promoted last fall to that position. Daniel Sell is rental property inspector.

The positions are paid on an hourly basis.

Rabold, as administrative assistant in the township community development department, assisted property owners with the application process for building and zoning permits, including the explanation of requirements and regulations; was the point person for the new community development software and trainer within the department; processed applications for the zoning hearing board and planning commission, including the preparation of agendas, advertising of hearings and distribution of paperwork and developed a new workflow for tracking permit applications.

Rabold is a certified zoning officer and certified general real estate appraiser.

From 2010-2019, Rabold was an appraisal manager and real estate appraiser for Keystone Acquisition Services Corp.

Rabold received a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in history with a minor in political science from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.