Two Salisbury Township Police Department officers were promoted to detectives-corporals.

District Judge Michael J. Pochron, Lehigh County Magisterial District 31-1-08, administered oaths of office at the April 13 township board of commissioners’ meeting to Salisbury Township Police Department Patrol Investigator Diano Reavis, who becomes a Salisbury Township Police Department Detective-Corporal and to Salisbury Township Police Department Patrol Investigator Thomas Sabulsky, who becomes a Salisbury Township Police Department Detective-Corporal.

The township municipal building meeting room was filled to standing room only by spouses, children, family members, friends and fellow township officers of the appointees.

Each appointee received a corporal badge and applause after taking the oath. The appointees shook hands with and received well-wishes from township commissioners and officials.

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Donald Sabo told a reporter for The Press after the township meeting each of the officers who was promoted is with the Salisbury Township Police Department for approximately five years. Each served as detectives-corporals for approximately nine months before officially being appointed.

Sabo said there are two openings in the township police department.

With the determination of an eligibility list from the Civil Service Commission and subsequent procedures by the police department, the two openings are expected to be filled in one or two months, Sabo said.

The township police department would then be fully staffed at 20 officers, with 19 full-time officers and one part-time officer, according to Sabo.

The board of commissioners voted 5-0 at the April 13 meeting to approve:

- Resolution supporting the Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company loan application and construction of new station. Commissioner Heather Lipkin made the motion, seconded by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn, to bring the resolution to a vote.

The resolution states: “Salisbury Township has, as part of its budget for 2023 pledged $58,000 from Salisbury Township’s General Fund toward funding of the construction project.”

Also: “Salisbury Township continues to support its May 26, 2022, motion in which it pledged $2,700,000 to support the construction of the project.”

“This was drawn up at the request of Embassy Bank and, hopefully, it will assist Western Salisbury in obtaining the financing,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said.

“It satisfies the legal requirements,” Salisbury Township Solicitor Attorney John F. “Jack” Gross, of Gross McGinley LLP Attorneys At Law, said.

- Resolution authorizing additional participation agreements regarding national opioid settlements. Commissioner Alok Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the resolution to a vote.

The resolution explains on Jan. 27, Salisbury Township enacted a resolution authorizing Bonaskiewich, on behalf of Salisbury Township, to sign participation agreements and a memorandum of understanding regarding national opioid settlements.

The resolution states there are five new proposed national opioid settlements with additional defendants Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart.

“This is a national projected settlement regarding opioid sales,” Gross explained.

“Some money should flow to the state and, hopefully, some money will flow to us. There’s no guarantee that any money will flow to us,” Gross said.

- Resolution approving disposition of public works equipment. Commissioner Alex Karol made the motion, seconded by Patnaik, to bring the resolution to a vote. An International 4-by-4 dump truck will be posted for sale on Municibid online auction service.

- Motion to authorize a memorandum of understanding with the Salisbury Township School District. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

“This is something that we do every two years,” board of commissioners President Deb Brinton said before the vote.

“There are absolutely no changes for our solicitor or their solicitor,” Sabo said.

- Motion accepting time extension to Aug. 30 for land development at 1525 E. Susquehanna St. Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the motion to a vote. The development plan was to expire April 25. A hair salon is planned for the first floor and an apartment for the second floor of the building.

During the discussion portion of the April 13 meeting:

- Sabo noted the Salisbury 5K Fun Run, 10 a.m. April 22, with registration 8 a.m., is from Salisbury High School to the lower lot of Laubach Park and then circling back.

- Lipkin noted the Earth Day cleanup at Walking Purchase Park is 10 a.m. April 22.

- Brinton lauded the Eastern Salisbury Fire Department for its Easter egg fundraiser. “They left notes from the Easter bunny,” Brinton said. “They came in the fire truck. I thought it was just a nice way to do a fundraiser.”

- Jerry Royer, safety officer, Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company, presented a report by Western Fire Chief Joshua Wells, noting three fires were battled in the past week. Royer also thanked township officials for their support of the new fire hall project. “I’d like to thank everybody for getting this done,” Royer said.

- Patnaik mentioned trees were removed along Buckingham Drive. Salisbury Township Director of Public Works James Levernier said, “The problem is that they didn’t grind the stumps.”

- Patnaik said residents complained of noise from the courts at Green Acres. “I think people in Salisbury Township are very happy to have those courts,” Brinton said.

- Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus said a bid for road work came in approximately $50,000 over bid. There was one bidder. The project was to cost approximately $350,000, but is expected to cost $405,000.

The township board of commissioners next meets 7 p.m. April 27 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

The township Environmental Advisory Council meets 7 p.m. April 19 in the meeting room of the municipal building.

The 7 p.m. April 26 township planning commission meeting is canceled.