Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to approve the official trick-or-treat date as 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29, with a rain date of Oct. 30.

Commissioner Jeffrey Warren and Commissioner Randy Atiyeh requested this motion appear before the board sooner in the year so the board can discuss alternate dates before it is advertised in the township letter.

In other business, the board did not pass Bill 27, which requested a sidewalk installation deferral along the frontage of 4205 Lehigh St. The developer intends to take two parcels and turn it into a three residential properties. The board voted against the bill, 3-4.

Bill 28 was unanimously passed, allowing the construction project at the municipal complex to continue. There were no additional comments.

Bill 29 was tabled, as the commissioners reportedly did not have proper briefing materials. The bill came to the board from the local ice cream parlor, King Kone, with a possible new property on the horizon.

The bill requests a deferral in the required installation of curbing and sidewalks along MacArthur Road and Springmill Road. Commissioner Thomas Slonaker said he would likely vote against the bill as the traffic on MacArthur Road should require sidewalks and curbing. The board did not have a blueprint of the situation, so they agreed to table the ordinance until the next meeting.

There was no vote on Bill 30 as it was on its first hearing. This bill aims to amend several sections of the township zoning ordinance, specifically providing criteria for the coordinated commercial development in section 27-80D; additional permitted uses to section 27-80A; and adding definitions of words to section 27-94A. The board will vote on Bill 30 during its October public meeting.

Commissioner Charles Fisher asked Whitehall Fire Chief David Nelson to speak before the board about Resolution 3168, as its unanimous approval would permit the donation of a 1990 Mack CF fire apparatus to a fire department in Alabama. Nelson explained multiple fire stations in Alabama were destroyed or damaged after a hurricane ran rampant through the area.

A firefighting organization in New Jersey decided to take action by collecting donated equipment. Assistant Chief Greg Rice, of the Fullerton station, made contact with the New Jersey station and arranged for Whitehall Township’s 1990 Mack CF truck to make its way to Alabama. The truck is still in good condition and will serve this community in need.

The commissioners finished reviewing the agenda with a final unanimous vote to appoint Richard Bentz from an alternate to a regular member of the Civil Service Commission to fill the vacant seat left by Donald Hayn. Atiyeh expended his gratitude to Bentz and said he was a significant influence on his education.

The evening came to a close with the report of public officials. Many of the commissioners used their time to give gratitude and appreciation to those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. Board President Philip Ginder also gave his thanks and appreciation to those serving in special forces and front-line workers who put their lives on the line for American citizens each day.

Mayor Michael P. Harakal and Atiyeh also acknowledged September is Suicide Prevention Month. Both encouraged Whitehall residents to check on their neighbors and speak up when life becomes too difficult to manage.

The board will meet again next month for the workshop meeting 7 p.m. Oct. 4. Instructions for public viewing can be found at whitehalltownship.org on the board of commissioners page.