There were several resolutions on the agenda at the April 20 South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting.

A discussion was held regarding the reappointment of William MacNair, chairman, Brian Hite, vice chairman and Alan Tope, secretary to the planning commission board.

According to the South Whitehall Township website April 20, MacNair’s term expired in April of 2016, Hite’s expired in August of 2016 and Tope’s expired in March of 2019 or until they were replaced.

It was said McNair, Hite and Tope were involved with the comprehensive plan.

“I knocked on 4,000 doors to get to be commissioner in South Whitehall Township. The one complaint I heard was about the Ridge Farms coming out in 2009 (comprehensive plan). I’ve heard that so many times,” Commissioner David Kennedy said.

He did not support reappointing McNair or Hite.

“Bill McNair and Alan Tope had been told by you (they) will not be reappointed. That’s a decision that was conveyed to them. That’s a decision that we did not make,” Commissioner Brad Osborne said to Commissioner President Diane Kelly.

Kelly made a motion to reappoint McNair and Tope. The motion did not carry.

Hite was reappointed to the planning commision.

Kelly asked if there was a nomination to fill the other position.

Commissioner Mike Wolk recommended Trevor Dombach.

It was decided Dombach would fill the unexpired term of Matthew Mulqueen who resigned.

Osborne pointed out board terms are usually staggered.

There was a vote to appoint Andy Flagg to the planning commission.

Kelly nominated Tim Duggan to the planning commission. The motion carried

Next there was a nomination of Dennis Toomey to the South Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board. The motion carried.

Osborne was nominated to serve on the South Whitehall Township Land Preservation Committee.

“Someone very wise said to me change in government is helpful,” Commissioner Monica Hodges said via Zoom.

None of the planning commission board nominated or reappointed members were in attendance.

Interim Township Manager/Director of Township Operations/Treasurer Randy Cope told the board about a grant received.

“This was a PennDOT [Pennsylvania Department of Transportation] grant that the township was awarded in the amount of $1 million to build the Jordan Creek Greenway from Wehr’s Mill Road all the way down through Covered Bridge Park to Lapp Road,” he said. “This trail would connect the two covered bridges on the north side of the creek and connect the existing trail.

“We’re going to look at the overall project again here to see if there’s any additional needs …. and if there are, we’ll certainly see [if there are] other grant opportunities out there that may be required for any additional costs associated with this project.

“... Overall, a very exciting time for the township, although it can’t really [be] considered a grant because it’s more of a funding stream which is unique. There’s no match required for this. It is 100 percent [an] award,” Cope said.