By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

South Whitehall commissioners were presented a request for a waiver of review and approval for Lehigh Valley Health Network’s neuro rehab patio at 1503 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. during their Oct. 19 meeting.

Landscape Architect Chris Brown explained the request.

“The project is really a two-part project,” Brown said. “Lehigh Valley Hospital is currently developing the interior to be a community reintegration neurological laboratory.

“It’s both an indoor and outdoor facility designed to help people rehabilitate from traumatic brain and spinal injuries or surgeries.”

Commissioner Brad Osborne commented.

“I want to lead off by saying I think this is a great concept,” Osborne said. “Thank you, and I’m sure it’s leading edge.

“Why are you asking for the waiver?”

Township Planner Gregg Adams responded.

“It cuts down the process because he would have needed to go to the planning commission, and then come back to you,” Adams said. “This saves him at least a month. It’s still full review.”

The board approved the waiver request.

In other matters, commissioners reviewed a request to approve a one-year extension for the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail project, which has two-phases.

Phase 1 included design work needed from Wehr Mill Road to Lapp Road. Phase 2 includes design work needed from Lapp Road to Cedar Crest Boulevard.

The length of the overall project is approximately 2 miles.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources funding and approval process will be used.

Securing the three necessary easements to extend the trail from Lapp Road to Cedar Crest Boulevard took a little longer than original anticipated.

This was due in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic and because there was specific language added to each easement which required solicitor review and revisions.

The board approved the request.

In other matters, Tricia Dickert, director of finance, started with a list of items to discuss regarding 2023 budget items.

Dickert said the Lehigh County Water Authority raised and, will likely continue to raise, rates on both water and sewer every year.

The board needs to decide what path to take.

Commissioners President Diane Kelly explained historically how LCA passed increases to the township.

It is important to keep funds solvent and if there are increases from water and sewer, it is eating our reserve fund, she said.

The staff will look at an increase in payments from residents.

Commissioners Vice President David Kennedy commented.

“Previous board of commission members should have done this,” he said, referring to the need to possibly raise water and sewer taxes.

Commissioner Mike Wolk, who has been a board member for several years, also commented,

“We don’t know why they decided what they did when they did, and I don’t think it’s productive to sit here and make negative comments about past boards,” Wolk said. “We need to do our job going forward. I know some of us have that philosophy.

“Just respect what happened in the past and then go forward with what we need to do.”

There was a discussion on “Sidewalk Deferrals, Crackersport,” which had been a pilot project to establish a procedure.

Commissioners tabled the discussion.

Later, Herb Bender, director of township operations, pointed out there was revenue for the Wehr’s Dam project.

Bond funding could be used to complete sidewalks in front of the municipal building and connect to the existing sidewalk in front of Zator Law Office on Walbert Avenue, which extends to Ridgeview Road.

“I think the positive improvement for the township and, to your point, if we’re calling in sidewalk deferral, it’s important to have our sidewalk installed and allow for pedestrian connectivity here,” Kelly responded.