The Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board re-elected its officers at the board’s first meeting of the new year.

Re-elected unanimously by the five-member panel at the Jan. 11 meeting were Attorney Kent Herman, 5th Ward, president and Attorney Ian Baxter, 5th Ward, vice president.

The zoning board members, in addition to Herman and Baxter, are Ronald Evans, 1st Ward; Joseph Kovach, 2nd Ward and Nicole Ortiz, 5th Ward. Thomas Spinner, 2nd Ward, is alternate zoner.

The Salisbury Township Planning and Zoning Officer is Kerry H. Rabold.

Rabold reviewed the zoning board meeting schedule for 2023. The township zoning board meets 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave. Zoners next meet 7 p.m. Feb. 8.

The zoning board solicitor is Attorney William J. Fries.

Fries succeeds Attorney Victor F. Cavacini, of Gross McGinley, LLP, who is ineligible to continue serving because the law firm for which he works was appointed as solicitor for the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners and planning commission.

The Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code stipulates a law firm or attorney unaffiliated with the firm or attorney that is commissioners’ and planners’ solicitor must be appointed solicitor for a zoning board.

Cavacini, who attended the Jan. 11 zoning meeting, was lauded for his years of service.

“It’s been a pleasure working this past year with all of you,” Herman said to the zoners.

“It’s a significant change for the zoning hearing board,” Herman said, referring to the appointment of Fries and the departure of Cavacini.

“I was disappointed that you will not be serving us in 2023,” Herman said to Cavacini.

Herman read a proclamation he prepared lauding Cavacini for his “exemplary service.” Evans moved and Baxter seconded the board’s motion to approve the proclamation.

“We have signed this and I will frame it and get it to you,” Herman said to Cavacini.

“Your institutional knowledge was a gift,” Herman added.

“It’s been a real honor for me to be solicitor to the board,” Cavacini said.

“I’ve been proud of the board and the boards that preceded it,” Cavacini said, adding, “The boards have been knowledgeable.”

“I am proud to serve with you for 20 years,” Evans said to Cavacini,

“I was proud to work with you,” Baxter said to Cavacini.

“I will miss you,” Ortiz said to Cavacini.

“I always appreciated your patience,” Kovach said.

“We’ve been fortunate to have the assistance of Attorney William Fries,” Herman said.

Fries was the alternate solicitor for the zoning board, filling in for Cavacini when he was unable to attend zoning meetings.

The zoners voted unanimously 5-0 to appoint Fries.

“I know I have big shoes to fill. Victor has been a good friend and mentor,” Fries said, adding, “I do take comfort that Victor still will be of assistance to the township through his firm.”

Herman and Baxter discussed the appointment of an alternate solicitor to serve should Fries be unable attend a hearing.

“My personal recommendation would be that the township put an ad in the Lehigh Valley Law Journal,” Herman said. The Lehigh Law Journal is published by the Bar Association Lehigh County.

“I don’t think that we have to make a decision this evening. I don’t think this person should be excluded,” Herman said.

Baxter said he agreed with Herman.

The name of the attorney recommended for appointment as alternate zoning board solicitor was not disclosed.

In separate 5-0 votes, zoners granted two variances, after approximately 30 minutes of questions and discussion for each appeal:

•3655 Salisbury Hills Drive. Lea Jancic and James F. Stoner requested dimensional variance relief to maintain a fence along Devonshire Road (three-foot, open-style metal fence permitted; four-foot, open-style, metal fence constructed). The residential property is on a corner in the R1 Rural Residential zoning district.

•1786 Savercool Avenue. Robert and Sharon Adams requested dimensional variance relief to maintain the six-foot, privacy style fence and shed along Kern Street (25-foot setback for fence and 13- foot setback for shed required; 0.5-foot setback for fence and 2-1/2- foot setback for shed provided). The residential property is on a corner in the R4 Medium Density Residential zoning district.

The Salisbury Township Planning Commission meets 7 p.m. Jan. 25 in the municipal building meeting room.

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners meets 7 p.m. Jan. 26 in the municipal building meeting room.