Major changes are expected to come to the Whitehall Township Police Department after the board of commissioners discussed new equipment during the monthly workshop meeting March 1.

Bill No. 7 requested the purchase of in-car cameras for the police department. This purchase is required to come before the board for consideration and approval because the cost exceeds $25,000.

Commissioners approved the purchase of body cameras for police uniforms in October 2020. Police Chief Michael Marks mentioned the approximate cost for the body cameras was $44,000.

No additional comments on Bill No. 7 were made by the commissioners.

The board also discussed the salary for the township treasurer. Bill No. 2 will establish a treasurer salary for 2022-25.

The commissioners reviewed what this position has historically been paid in the township but is also considering how the role has changed throughout the years. It is still unclear whether the salary will receive a yearly increase of 2 or 2.5 percent. More information is expected at next week’s meeting.

Also on the workshop meeting agenda were maintenance work and additions to roads throughout Whitehall Township. Bill No. 3 requests funds to provide service to streetlights in the township, and Bill No. 6 would approve the installation of sidewalks at 3030 S. Third St.

The public works department may be obtaining a new skid-steer loader, an all-purpose vehicle that has been requested in Bill No. 4. The cost is more than $25,000.

Commissioners took time to discuss a motion requesting the use of Lafarge funds for repairing South Lehigh Avenue. Commissioner Michael Dee questioned what the Lafarge fund was, and Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers explained it is a fund created from contributions made by Lafarge to the township in order to relocate Bridge Street 20 years ago.

Reportedly, the account holds $1.2 million and has been used for emergencies and various projects. The funds have always been restored, and the account still holds $1.2 million.

Meyers said the Lafarge fund has gone untapped for several years.

The fund would be useful in this project, which has an estimated cost of $135,000, according to township Engineer Frank Clark, and will put a huge dent in the roads budget for 2021.

Lee Rackus, Whitehall bureau chief of planning, zoning and development, suggested requiring a truck traffic evaluation to observe the impact left behind on the road and acknowledged the difficult turn for trucks on Bridge Street.

Commissioner President Philip Ginder stressed the importance of replacing the money in the fund as quickly as possible.

“We need to spend more wisely,” he added.

The board of commissioners will next meet 7 p.m. March 8. For viewing options, visit whitehalltownship.org and find the link under Whitehall News.