During the March 14 meeting of Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, Rob Piligian, resident and planning commission chairman, addressed the board about the entrance to the new municipal building.

He suggested the township might have “gone backward” rather than moving to the future, as the new building lacks Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible front doors. The old township building had motorized doors, he said.

Board President Joe Marx said he believes the public building needs to be entirely accessible and will follow through to ensure the doors become ADA-accessible.

Piligian also spoke on a few other issues - missing money from the treasurer’s office and complaints against Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. among them - that were a concern to him.

The board was unable to comment on either of the issues as both are in the litigation phase, it was reported.

New treasurer Tina Koren has reported she has implemented a system of receipts that track every cent that goes in and out of the tax office. She also said she provides the commissioners with a tax office report, detailing everything she does in the office and what is going on with the finances.

No comments were made regarding the allegations against the mayor.

Resident Ken Snyder agreed with many of Piligian’s observations.

In other business, the board approved a motion for the purchase of a Caterpillar asphalt compaction roller, as well as an ordinance approving changes to chapter one of the township’s codified ordinances, relating to the environmental advisory council.

The board also made a motion approving resolution 3187, which grants conditional approval to the Raymour & Flanigan/Whitehall Mall major subdivision. No comments were made on this matter.

Harakal reported that, with the assistance of U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th, the township has applied for grants to assist with remediation of some areas of flooding, at Water Street and Eberhart Road and near 14th and Fairmont streets, as well as repair of a 72-inch pipe.

The commissioners’ meeting was plagued by technical issues, prompting the board to discuss the idea of meeting in person. However, the equipment for the meeting room in the new municipal building has not yet arrived.

The commissioners will next meet 7 p.m. April 4 in the Coplay Whitehall Sewer Authority building, 3213 MacArthur Road.