By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

After reorganizing their Oct. 21 meeting agenda to accommodate a resolution regarding the Ridge Farms development, South Whitehall commissioners approved several motions to improve two of the township’s fire stations.

Fire Commissioner Chris Kiskeravage introduced both motions, the first of which was to proceed with a bathroom renovation project at the Greenawalds Fire Station.

Kiskeravage said the project will update both bathrooms and install a shower to provide fire company members the ability to decontaminate after fires and other exposures.

He said there had been ample discussion on the project over several fire subcommittee meetings and with Greenawalds’ members.

The board unanimously approved the project to proceed for a total cost of $36,767.22, and for work to be completed by RW and Son Construction.

The second motion was to proceed with an upgrade project to the fire alarms and access control system at the Woodlawn Fire Station at a total cost of $34,988.55, which Kiskeravage said would improve security.

He noted Openpath would be the vendor for the access control system at a cost of $25,327.14, while Bosch would install the fire alarm system for $9,661.41.

The board unanimously approved the upgrades.

After the motions, Commissioner Diane Kelly recognized Greenawalds Fire Company for a historical landmark, noting that on Oct. 19 Greenawalds had celebrated 100 years from when South Whitehall residents had first met to establish the fire company.

“It’s quite a momentous date for us to look at and see their service throughout all of these years for our community, and give all of those involved my gratitude,” Kelly said.

“Congratulation Greenawalds,” board President Christina “Tori” Morgan said. “We are very blessed to have you out there serving and protecting our community. Great job.”

For the police report, Capt. Michael Sorrentino told commissioners there were 1,024 calls for service in September.

This is one less than the 2019 total of 1,025.

The most common calls for service were EMS-related, at 221.

Sorrentino also reported there were 33 arrests in September compared to 42 in 2019, and there were 79 reported crimes compared to 109 from last year.

In old business, Operations Director Randy Cope reported work is progressing on the township campus renovation project, with interior work underway and building additions being framed out.

He said the proposed opening in early 2021 is still on target, and reminded residents the township’s temporary offices are located in the Roma Building, 1605 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite 410.

The township’s phone number, 610-398-0401, can still be used to reach the administration.