BY CHRISTINA MORGAN

Special to The Press

South Whitehall Township Commissioner President Christina “Tori” Morgan presented the following year-in-review during the Jan. 6 board of commissioners’ meeting.

Morgan emailed her comments to The Press.

“Good evening everyone, 2020 was nothing short of unprecedented as a result of the pandemic.

“We have found ourselves as a community faced with many challenges but in the true South Whitehall fashion our residents, businesses and staff have risen above, persevered and remained strong throughout. Never letting a challenge get in the way of progress and positivity.

“As done in the past, I felt it important to share with all of you a brief 2020 South Whitehall Township Year in Review accomplishment highlights.

“Starting in January 2020 we embarked on the township campus renovations, in parallel with our partners the Parkland Library; with no significant delays as a result of the pandemic we anticipate campus renovation completion by the end of February 2021; resulting in a renewed, energized and efficient township building to meet the needs of our community.

“From the policing perspective we continue to grow through our policing initiatives and partnerships including work with the Parkland School District, Parkland C.A.R.E.S. food pantry, Hero’s fighting Hunger/Travis Manion Foundation; Shop with a Cop; Regional DUI Task Force lead; and Summer Educational police academy camps just to name a few.

“In addition, the South Whitehall Township Police Team was recognized for reaccreditation in 2020 further supporting the commitment and dedication of a police team above and beyond expectations.

“Our volunteer fire departments have continued to provide service to our residents and businesses second to none; in an effort to continue to support recruitment and retainment of our valuable volunteers the incentive program was enhanced; a new fire truck was ordered and we supported station upgrades to meet the needs of our fire teams; provided consolidation of our fire police resources; and completed organizational enhancements with the first full year of our fire commissioner position.”

Morgan stated Community Development had a busy year in 2020 with the continuation of the Comprehensive Plan which started in March of 2019 and is expected for completion in the spring of 2021; implementation of code enforcement enhancements to include a noise ordinance; organizational modifications to enhance customer service; educational programs to the public on the land development process; continued work on supporting redevelopment opportunities for vacant business lots; implementation of outdoor dining guidelines to support area restaurants; and development for consideration a temporary Small Business COVID grant.

“Finance worked hard to manage expenses and fluctuating revenues, and quickly adjusted to handle payments differently during the past year; they lead the effort to prepare a no tax increase budget for 2021.

Parks and Recreation also had a busy year.

“Construction of the new “Covered Bridge Playground” truly a spectacle for young and the young at heart was completed; planned and orchestrated modified holiday events for Halloween and the December Holiday Lighting event both providing a safe and socially distant community celebration for our residents; successfully provided a much requested modified summer playground program; initiated a Capital Campaign for the Covered Bridge Park; completed the Jordan Greenway Trail 309 section and continued collaborations for the future trail sections; implementation of the Green Advisory Committee to lead special educational and informational initiatives relative to environmental challenges affecting our community.

Public Works, most often the unsung heroes of our community, had a busy year as well; developing efficiencies through remote meter read devices were brought to the water department; for the MS4 stormwater management program accomplishments were made toward goals through basin modifications; and an increased street sweeping program; amongst it all we were touched by Tropical Storm Isaias bringing extensive damage to our Covered Bridge Park but with the dedication of Public Work’s and some amazing resident volunteers the park was quickly brought back to its pristine state; and developed cooperatives with Upper Macungie, Lower Macungie, and North Whitehall for shared manpower in Emergency situations to further strengthen services to our residents.

“We learned throughout 2020 new, creative and adaptive ways to conduct meetings and share information through virtual platforms, outside meetings, and creative events.

“To further compliment, we are excited to roll out our new and improved website in early 2021. The South Whitehall Township leadership team and staff has and continues to be the glue that keeps our communities every day operations in check. A task that has been seamless despite the limitations of the pandemic, the temporary office, and remote working conditions. By holding expenses and ongoing diligence by staff we were able to have presented and approved a no tax increase budget for 2021.”

“Certainly 2021 will come with its own set of new challenges for which staff and the commissioners will have to work together to maintain the services and future of this great community.

“Thank you to staff, professionals and fellow commissioners for your passion and dedication to do great things for our residents and businesses for this is what brings us all together.

‘We are all looking forward to a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2021 with renewed energy to secure a strong tomorrow and future.”