By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

South Whitehall commissioners, at their Aug. 17 meeting, dealt with a resolution to adopt the Sidewalk Deferral Call-In Policy.

The township requires developers to construct sidewalks along all public streets, private ways and within all subdivisions.

However, in special circumstances, the township may grant deferrals to this requirement, allowing the applicant to refrain from installing sidewalks as part of the land development.

The township, however, may require construction of the sidewalk at a future time but there has been no established procedure to do so.

The policy will serve as a guide to the process and provide the necessary steps for calling-in sidewalks.

One of the goals of the township is to improve walkability.

In other matters, the board approved a recommendation for the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail to proceed.

Interim Manager Herb Bender said township staff recommends moving forward with a road widening alternative to the north for River Road.

A budget line item will need to be permitted in 2023, with construction budgeted in 2024.

After a meeting with PennDOT, the suggestion is to place a Jersey concrete barrier between the trail and the road to protect people and cyclists on the trail from being hit by a vehicle traveling on the road.

Bender said the proposed cost of Scheme 2’s road widening is $572,500, but he could cut that in half by not using taxpayer funds and using township public works crews to bring the price down by 50 percent.

The grant would be used for just the trail.

He expressed concern about missing the grant deadline if the township reviewed another scheme.

Scheme 2 was approved by the board.

At a meeting in April, The Press reported the township was awarded a $1 million PennDOT grant to build the Jordan Creek Greenway from Wehr’s Mill Road, down through Covered Bridge Park to Lapp Road.

The trail would connect the two covered bridges on the north side of the creek and connect the existing trail.

In other matters, Bender reported one bid was received and opened Aug. 8 for the Wehr’s Dam rehabilitation project.

There had been difficulty obtaining bids.

“We are respectfully requesting commissioners award the contract for the Wehr’s Dam rehabilitation project at the bid price of $290,825,” Bender said.

The board accepted the bid.

Commissioner Michael Wolk addressed Bender near the end of the meeting.

“I have one item I think somebody has to say,” Wolk said. “You’re on top of everything, in great detail and with specific information.

“I believe everything on the township under you is under control.

“You give timely updates, with excellent communication. I believe you’re doing an outstanding job.”