The Salisbury Township Police Department is being lauded for implementing social services programs similar to those that have been urged nationally.

The township police department is collaborating with Treatment Trends, Inc. and Pinebrook Family Answers in an attempt to mitigate circumstances that may have led to tragic headlines in communities elsewhere in the United States.

“Some of the people we have contact with have addictions,” Salisbury Township Chief of Police Kevin Soberick said in his report to township commissioners at the March 11 meeting of the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners.

“We also deal with people with mental health issues,” Soberick said.

“They’re doing ride-alongs,” Soberick said of personnel from Treatment Trends and Pinebrook, describing them as “co-responders.

“It’s something that police are dealing with,” Soberick continued.

“It’s very good. I wanted to note what the police department is doing. I think it is a positive,” Soberick said.

The commissioners agreed. Soberick’s report drew appreciative responses.

Treatment Trends, based in the Lehigh Valley, is “comprised of assessment, referral, rehabilitative in-patient treatment, intensive outpatient and outpatient treatment” with more than 45 years of experience as “a trusted source of help for people struggling with chronic addiction,” according to its website.

Pinebrook Family Answers, also based in the Lehigh Valley, provides “high quality community-based services to children, young adults and families,” according to its website.

Commissioners and township officials met in person March 11 in the township municipal building meeting room with 11 participants listed among the public and media on the Zoom online platform.

In other business during the 15 minute meeting, commissioners:

•Voted unanimously 5-0 to approve, on a resolution by Commissioner Heather Lipkin seconded by Commissioner James Seagreaves, to designate Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich as the “Agent Authorized to Act on Behalf of Salisbury Township for COVID-19 Disaster Funding.”

“This has been traditionally the township manager who does this,” Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners’ president Debra Brinton noted prior to the vote.

•Appointed Frank Frankenfield as 4th Ward Representative on the township planning commission.

Frankenfield, who has been on the Salisbury Township School District board of education, said via Zoom, “I want to thank all the commissioners. I’m looking forward to being part of the Salisbury Township Planning Commission.”

•Discussed faded township street signs. “Some can’t be read,” Commissioner Alok Patnaik said.

Salisbury Township Acting Public Works Director James Levernier said, “A lot of the ones that get direct sun are fading. We’re making a list. There are quite a few around the township that are faded to completely white. We will be replacing them as soon as we get them in.”

•Heard a report from Bonaskiewich concerning the office of Lehigh County Magisterial District Court 31-1-08, 3000 S. Pike Ave., which is located in the township police department building.

“The magistrate’s lease is up. We’re not going to renew it. We need the space. And we don’t want to comingle,” Bonaskiewich said.

District Judge Michael J. Pochron serves Salisbury Township and Fountain Hill.

“They asked for an extension of 90 days. They are having difficulty with their new landlord. They very well might be out by July 1,” Bonaskiewich said.

No workshop and no executive session were held following the meeting.

“This could be an all-time record,” Brinton said of the meeting length.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners’ next scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. March 25 in the township municipal building meeting room. Advance registration is required for the public and media on the township website: https://www.salisburytownshippa.org.