More than half-a-million dollars in road improvements are planned before this fall in Salisbury Township.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners in separate 5-0 unanimous votes at its July 22 meeting approved two contracts totaling $552,525.91 with Asphalt Maintenance Solutions, LLC, Emmaus, for rebuilding and resurfacing of several roads and streets in the township.

Township Commissioner Alok Patnaik made the motion, seconded by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn, to award a bid from Asphalt Maintenance for the 2021 Modified Pavement Overlay, Seal Coat and Fog Seal Project in the amount of $380,688.42.

The project is for the paving of Lehigh Parkway North. Leveling and tar and chip application will be for Black River Road, Sycamore Road and Church Road.

Conn made the motion, seconded by township Commissioner Heather Lipkin, to award a bid from Asphalt Maintenance for the 2021 Roadway Crack Seal, Chip Seal, Mastic and Fog Seal Project in the amount of $171,837.49.

The project is for tar and chip application for Church Road, Bobalew Trail, Alex Court, Alder Lane and High Ridge Road. It’s in preparation for another road project next year.

Salisbury Township Consulting Engineer David J. Tettemer of Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc., recommended the bids amounts and the chosen firm.

Salisbury Township Director of Public Works James Levernier said the work scheduled for mid-August is expected to take approximately one week.

“I think it’s great that you’re using funds from liquid fuels to repair the roads,” board of commissioners President Deb Brinton said.

Conn made a motion, seconded by Patnaik, for a request, approved 5-0, that the Civil Service Commission create an eligibility list for entry-level police officers for the township police department.

Conn made a motion, seconded by township Commissioner James Seagreaves, for a request, approved 5-0, that the Civil Service Commission create a promotion eligibility list to the rank of sergeant in the township police department.

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Kevin Soberick said of the two motions pertaining to the township police department, “This is to replace an opening for someone leaving and my promotion.”

By a consensus 5-0 vote, township commissioners authorized execution of a lease extension agreement with Lehigh County for District Court No. #31-1-08 until March 1, 2022.

Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said of the lease for the district court office, which is in the township public safety building, “They want to initiate that on the Lehigh County side.”

During the commissioners‘ and township officials’ comment portion of the meeting, Conn asked about the township policy concerning the patching of streets after subsurface work by utility companies.

“UGI put service in for a house down the road,” Conn said. “They only did it a couple of weeks ago. It’s already sinking,” he said of the road surface patching.

“I’ll have somebody come out and look at it,” Levernier said.

“I’ve been working with Kerry and Sandy [Nicolo, assistant Salisbury Township manager, director, community development] about redoing our ordinance,” Levernier said.

“We’re going to have it as a workshop,” Salisbury Township Planning and Zoning Officer Kerry Rabold said of a discussion about the township streets resurfacing policy.

Levernier announced, “We did officially open the Laubach Park bathrooms. We have a little more to do at the park.”

Soberick said “National Night Out” in the township is 5-8 p.m. Aug. 3 at Salisbury Middle School.

“The public is welcome to come out and meet the police,” Soberick said.

The event is expected to include fire apparatus from Eastern and Western Salisbury Township fire departments, a food truck and a dunk tank.

Bonaskiewich said township officials have been invited to attend the “Never Forget Walk,” 11 a.m. Sept. 4, which is to traverse Easton on its way to New York City to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy.

Lehigh Valley area police, fire and emergency rescue organizations and veterans and community groups are invited to participate in a parade to conclude in Centre Square. The national anthem will be sung by Wilson High School graduate and Broadway star Dee Roscioli. There will be a dove release, a picnic and entertainment 1-4 p.m.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners is to meet 7 p.m. Aug. 12 and 26.

The Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board Aug. 3 meeting is canceled.

The Salisbury Township Planning Commission is to meet 7 p.m. Aug. 10.

The Salisbury Township Environmental Advisory Council is to meet 7 p.m. Aug. 18.

Meetings are in the township municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.