By MICHAEL Hirsch

Special to The Press

Joe Herpel was introduced by Public Works Manager Herb Bender and honored or his 32 years of service during the South Whitehall commissioners May 4 meeting.

“Joe was a great employee, and he was a great crew leader for us downstairs,” Bender said. “When I first came on board three years ago, Joe took me under his wing and showed me some of the areas that we had issues with. I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without Joe’s help.

“Joe is going to be truly missed. He has a lot of knowledge of this township and our infrastructure. Again, I can’t thank Joe enough for everything he’s done for me and for the township and for the residents of South Whitehall.”

In other matters, Jennifer Friedman, who was nominated by the volunteer fire companies as special fire police for a five-year term, was confirmed.

Commissioner Mike Wolk thanked Friedman.

“Congratulations to you for performing this role, as I understand you secure the boundary around any fire or any other accident situation to provide safety to both the public from not entering the area, which also allows the firemen and other safety workers to get the job done. So, a very important job.

‘Thank you so much,” Wolk said.

Commissioners also awarded Michael Baker International to complete the finalization of the comprehensive plan.

Interim Manager Randy Cope explained.

“The community development department is requesting permission to finalize the comp plan,” Cope said. “The proposal is not to exceed $40,000.

“The other piece I’d like to highlight is having the consultant help which is going to accelerate the timeline.”

Cope then explained that Wehr’s Dam had been listed as old business for some time, but the bid package is just about complete.

He requested permission to proceed with advertising the bid.

The bid opening will be June 15, the project is budgeted under the capital fund in this year’s budget for $850,000.

The board approved a contract with Michael Baker earlier this year to help oversee the project.

A current balance of this budget is $772,260. This motion was approved.

The naming rights of the Springhouse Road Preserved Open Space was also discussed.

After the property along Springhouse and Route 22 was donated, a request came in from the donor’s attorney.

Dave Davis would prefer the name David Smith Fields, which is a combination of Dave’s last name and his wife Jodi’s maiden name.

Both are graduates of Parkland High School and having this named after him and his wife would mean a great deal to them.

Commissioner Diane Kelly asked the assistant solicitor if there is a legal need to call it open space or if it could be called preserved farmland.

In other matters, Commissioner Monica Hodges, during a discussion for a future workshop, said, “I would really love to start a historical society here in South Whitehall.

“We have so much history to be preserved, brick and lime kilns should be preserved and pointed out. I’m hoping to go forward with that sometime this year.”