The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting May 10 opened with a presentation by representatives of the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority on enhanced bus services and new improvements coming to the Lehigh Valley.

AJ Jordan, manager of planning and scheduling for LANTA, discussed the developmental plan for rapid transit in Lehigh County that will offer express buses with frequent services.

Jordan also noted upgrades are expected for the bus shelters found throughout the county, including a real-time signage system, ticket vending machines, stronger lighting and a redesigned shelter unit.

There will be three station stops in Whitehall, and Jordan invited the commissioners to collaborate on these new stations.

In other business, board President Philip Ginder noted Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong was present and open for questions.

Commissioner Jeffrey Warren asked about moving to digital radios for emergency services workers. Armstrong said the county administration is already looking into the situation to figure out how the county can help the municipalities afford this transition.

The board unanimously passed Bill No. 15 for the purchase of a new pavilion. Tony Cocca, interim bureau chief of recreation, estimated it will cost around $126,000, not including the plumbing.

He also mentioned the recreation bureau has $205,707 in grant funds, with another possible $100,000 coming, so the purchase should be covered, with leftover funds going toward the plumbing system.

Bill No. 12 passed unanimously for the purchase of 12 portable radios for the fire department. Each radio costs about $6,000, but it was noted they have proven durability and are required to stay in a safety harness.

The fire department is also getting a new self-contained breathing apparatus through Bill No. 14.

The public works department will be getting a new 2022 Mack GR42BR cab and chassis single-axle dump truck through the passing of Bill No. 13.

The construction of handicap ramps and concrete curbs and sidewalk improvements throughout the township were approved through Bill No. 16, utilizing a Community Development Block Grant.

Commissioner Michael Dee made the motion to reappoint Michael Long to the Plumbers Examination Board and was seconded by Warren. The board approved the motion.

Cocca discussed the situation at Jefferson Pool, explaining the structure is unsafe for operation and repairs have been estimated between $1.5 and $2 million. The estimates were not from formal evaluations, but from two aquatic engineers who both gave the same rough estimates.

Cocca is unsure if Camp Whitehall will happen this year due to lack of employment. He has only received four applications, and the camp director recently put in her resignation. Cocca said he may use the possible camp employees as playground instructors to get the township kids out and active, but everything is tentative at this point.

The board will meet again 7 p.m. June 7. For viewing instructions, visit the township website at whitehalltownship.org under Whitehall News.