By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

North Whitehall supervisors met to reorganize on Jan. 3.

Motions were made to nominate Al Geosits as chairman, Dennis Klusaritz as vice chairman, Lisa A. Young as solicitor, Steve Gitch as engineer, Brenda Norder as secretary/treasurer and Chris Garges as township manager.

Klusaritz attended via Zoom.

Ronald J. Heintzelman is the third supervisor.

A motion was made to appoint someone to the planning commission to fulfill the unexpired term of Christopher Mohan until Dec. 31, 2023.

“Planning commission Chairman Brian Horwith and I made a recommendation of Richard Fuller as our candidate for that,” Garges said. “This decision is completely up to the board.

“If you have any questions about them or you would like the candidates to appear before us at the February meeting.”

Norder reported balances as of Nov. 30, 2021 were $12.680,599.49.

Receipts across all funds total $340,046.04 and expenses across all funds total $373,417.86.

Balances as of Dec. 31, 2021, were $12,655,187.67.

There was a motion to approve a disbursement of checks, which was approved by the board.

The first item of new business was Goldco Minor subdivision at the corner of Levans Road and Route 329.

There were two parts - a waiver and deferrals request, and preliminary/final approval.

No development is proposed but the representative said they want to divide the 10.6 acre property in two.

Discussion ensued regarding putting in an access road between the new parcels and having a cul-de-sac for emergency vehicles or other large vehicles within the two properties.

A motion was approved but it will need to be reviewed by the planning commission.

The township adopted a light duty work policy.

“This was put together in conjunction with the insurance company with review by the union that they had signed off on it,” Norder said. “It is ready to be passed tonight.

“Basically, this will allow us to have a written policy to allow employees to return to work who are injured on the job, to return to work in a reduced capacity to get them back sooner.“

The board approved the policy.

The development group 5077 Overlook Road LLC (Strawberry Acres) requested a time extension to be reviewed by the planning commission.

This will not happen until March 31.

There was a question as to whether there was more than one extension, but this is the second request.

The board approved the time extension request.

A formality was to terminate an ICMA Pension plan policy.

This was an existing policy for a single employee who is no longer with the township.

The termination of this pension plan will forgive the township from having annual fees to maintain this plan.

There was a resolution for the board to approve payment for purchase of an agricultural conservation easement for farmland owned by Robert Schmidt.

This would be a two-thirds, one-third split with the county whereas the township would be responsible for $3,919.50 per acre or approximately 49.2 acres.

Someone asked about where the funding came from and the answer was from the farmland preservation fund. This was approved.

Finally the manager’s report was given.

Garges first welcomed Geosits to the board.

Then, he welcomed Kelly Dickinson as a second new employee in the township.

She will be taking over a part time receptionist and administrative assistant position, working approximately 18 hours a week.

Garges recognized the community service of Rich Celmer, who recently died.

Celmer was a member of the planning commission for 32 years from 1986 to 2018.

He also served a partial term as appointed supervisor for two years, 2014 and 2015.

Garges thanked the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club, all four fire companies and police, Orefield Middle School choir and Parkland High School dance team for their hard work making the first tree lighting a success.

He mentioned if the board wants to make a donation to the choir and dance teams, he recommended $100 per team, more or less as a way to thank them for what they did at the tree lighting for the community.

The motion was approved.