By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

Chris Turtell, a certified public accountant from Herbein + Company Inc., gave a presentation on the 2020 audit to South Whitehall commissioners meeting on Nov. 3.

The audit was for the fiscal year ending on Dec. 31, 2020.

He pointed out in comparing 2019 to 2020, taxes of $9,000,003 dropped to $7,000,007 and the amusement tax was less due to Dorney Park being closed.

“We have to think back to pandemic times,” he said.

Most municipalities tightened their belts and made sure to do projects that needed to get done, and also realized certain projects couldn’t be done because of COVID-19.

He said the township has a nice stable reserve base. It is notable that South Whitehall Township has a good bond rating.

“This reflects the township’s moderately sized tax base with strong wealth indicators,” he explained.

In other matters, the board gave preliminary approval to the Ridge Farm plan.

One resident was concerned about the connection to the west side of the development to Buchman Road.

The developer’s representative said they are responsible for the expense; the township is not responsible for this connection.

There was concern that roads such as Walbert Avenue, North Cedar Crest Boulevard, and Huckleberry Road will not be improved before the development is built out.

They will be, and the project will be built in phases.

Another concern is there is not a through road connecting Walbert Avenue and Huckleberry Road in the development.

The road shown on the master plan is a pedestrian road, which could be used by emergency vehicles. There will not be a road through the development from Walbert Avenue to Huckleberry Road.