Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, at its Feb. 14 meeting, approved a proposal for the installation of a pavilion at the Whitehall Parkway.

The structure will be funded by grants and budget funds.

The board also approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F350 4x4 truck for approximately $88,500, as discussed at the last meeting.

A conditional use hearing for Matthew Nomie’s property at 1058 Third St. was held at the beginning of the meeting. Nomie was not present, but Chris Gittinger, township code and zoning officer, spoke on his behalf. The plan proposes a mixed residential and commercial use at the property, with a separate entrance for each unit.

Gittinger said the planning commission and township engineer reviewed the plan and recommended it for approval, with conditions. The board approved the conditional use plan with a 6-0 vote.

In other business, Bill 3-2022 and Resolution 3187 were pulled from the agenda at the request of the developer. Both pertain to the Raymour & Flanigan/Whitehall Mall subdivision plan, which was discussed at the board’s workshop meeting last week.

Most of what the commissioners discussed pertained to the deferral of 400 feet of sidewalk along the frontage of MacArthur Road. They thought now would be the time to put the sidewalk in because of the connectivity issue. Further, the commissioners were wary of deferring the sidewalk installation indefinitely.

At the earlier workshop meeting, Engineer Alex Tweedie said the applicant is only asking for a deferral until the Whitehall Mall land development plans are ready.

The subdivision and sidewalk deferral will both be discussed at the March meeting.

Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. reported the township has hired a new public works director, who will be starting next week. He currently serves as a public works supervisor in Allentown and has experience in building roads and clearing snow, two areas in which the township reportedly needs improvement.

Further, the board approved a motion that would allow Harakal, on behalf of the township, to enter an agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding sidewalk maintenance and snow removal on the Northampton-Cementon Bridge. Harakal said the township would split the cost of maintenance with Northampton Borough.

The board next meets 7 p.m. March 7 via WebEx. Access instructions can be found on the township’s website.