The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners welcomed The Press to its meeting for the first time in nearly six months.

A reporter for The Press attended the commissioners’ May 13 meeting in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, commissioners and township officials switched April 9, 2020, to an online meeting format, logging onto Zoom from their residences.

At the start of the pandemic, the commissioners’ last in-person board meeting was March 12, 2020.

The Zoom meetings continued until two in-person commissioners’ board meetings in October 2020 and one board meeting in November 2020.

The Zoom format resumed Nov. 24, 2020, for commissioners, the media and the public.

In March this year, commissioners and township officials began convening in the municipal building meeting room in a hybrid format, with the media and public participating via Zoom.

Township zoners, the Salisbury Township Planning Commission, Environmental Advisory Council and Recreation Advisory Committee also have been using the hybrid format.

Salisbury officials improvised. For example, the Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board met July 7, 2020, at the Eisenhower substation of Western Salisbury Fire Company.

The commissioners’ next meeting, 7 p.m. May 27, continues the in-person format, which includes the media, while the public participates on Zoom.

“The May 27 meeting will be the same as last night’s [May 13], with plans to be back to 100 percent in-person starting with the June 10 meeting,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said in an email to a reporter for The Press.

Planners were expected to meet May 18 via Zoom because of the municipal building meeting room is a Primary Election polling place.

The May 19 EAC meeting was canceled.

The June 1 zoning hearing is canceled.

Township offices reopened to the public March 10 for regular business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Township parks reopened May 1. The township is accepting park pavilion and field reservations.

The commissioners’ return to the in-person format May 13 allowed them to honor one of the township’s own, David Bonaskiewich, who retired May 14, after nearly 33 years as a public works department employee. Bonaskiewich started as summer help in the department in 1988 and was hired full time in September 1988.

“He’s going to be starting at one of our drop-in centers, part-time, starting Saturdays,” Salisbury Township Acting Director of Public Works James Levernier, who presented Bonaskiewich with a recognition plaque and commemorative clock, said.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a resolution to recognize the years of service and accept the retirement of David Bonaskiewich. Commissioner Alok Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Heather Lipkin, to bring the resolution to a vote.

In other business at the May 13 meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to:

•Authorize renewal of the Franko Farm Park farmhouse lease with Valentine Durner. The lease is from June 1 through May 21, 2022.

“I’ve already spoken with Mrs. Durner and she expressed interest in continuing her tenancy at the property,” Bonaskiewich said.

“As you know, Mrs. Durner keeps the home and grounds beautifully with her meticulous attention and time spent on the details,” Bonaskiewich said.

Board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the motion to a vote.

•Authorize renewal of the Devonshire Drop-Off Site lease with Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church. The 10-year lease, July 1 through June 30, 2031, is $3,000 for the first year with a $60 per year increase in subsequent years.

Conn made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the motion to a vote.

•Update park reservation policy. “Instead of bringing the requests to the board, we want to act on this administratively,” Bonaskiewich said.

Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Commissioner James Seagreaves, to bring the motion to a vote.

•Amend Salisbury Township Act 537 Sewer Plan to include 1204 Voortman Ave. minor subdivision. There will be two additional connections to the township sanitary sewer system, adding approximately 494 gallons per day in sewer flow.

Seagreaves made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

•Disposition of Public Works Department 1971 John Deere grader on Munibid, an online municipal auction site.

Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the motion to a vote.

In reports to the commissioners at the May 13 meeting:

•Levernier said Laubach Park bathrooms are being refurbished: “We did some minor renovations. Hopefully, we’ll be done in the next few weeks.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” board of commissioners President Debra Brinton said, adding, “It’s been a long time coming. I say thank you for the kids, moms and others who use the park.”

•Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus said, “We are trying to get information on the [COVID-19] stimulus money. “It looks like it’s going to be a good amount of money.”

Ziegenfus said 50 percent would be received in 2021 and 50 percent in 2022. Possible uses could be for water and stormwater system improvements.

“I think they are really trying to help municipalities and other places that were hurt by the coronavirus,” Ziegenfus said.

•Salisbury Township Police Chief Kevin Soberick said May 15 was National Police Memorial Day. He said 125 police officers were killed thus far in 2021.