The owner of The South Mall will be reimbursed nearly $20,000 in real estate taxes by Salisbury Township.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a motion approving the refund. Commissioner Alok Patnaik made the motion, seconded by commissioners’ Vice President Rodney Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

A refund of $19,681.36 for 2021 township real estate taxes will be paid to Nicholas Park Mall LLC because of a court-approved tax assessment appeal.

The refund is the result of a new tax assessment for the South Mall, 3300 Lehigh St., Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus said before the vote.

Township real estate tax refunds for the South Mall were made for 2020 and are expected to be made for 2022.

“We haven’t gotten the final adjustment,” Ziegenfus said. ”Who knows? When it comes to tenants, it could go back up.”

Commissioner Alex Karol asked Ziegenfus if the reduced tax revenue amounts were included in the 2023 township budget.

“We did not budget for either of these rebates,” Ziegenfus answered.

“You can see they got a 40% reduction,” Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich said.

In other business at the May 25 township meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve:

•Ordinance for vacating Roosevelt Avenue between Harrison Avenue and Logan Street. Karol made the motion, seconded by Conn.

•Ordinance amending general parking regulations to add a handicapped parking space at 741 E. Lexington St. Commissioner Heather Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Patnaik.

•Resolution updating the township’s records retention policy. Conn made the motion, seconded by Lipkin.

•Motion accepting time extension to Sept. 9 for the preliminary-final land development at 2844 S. Pike Ave. Karol made the motion, seconded by Patnaik.

•Motion approving American chestnut tree planting at Franko Park. Conn made the motion, seconded by Patnaik.

During the workshop, a proposed four-way stop sign at Lehigh Avenue and Center Place was discussed. A concern about parking at a resident’s driveway was raised. It is uncertain whether a four-way stop sign could be placed at the intersection, township officials said.

Commissioners were to meet in executive session after the workshop to discuss real estate, board of commissioners President Debra Brinton announced.

Salisbury Township meetings in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., include: 7 p.m. June 8, board of commissioners; 7 p.m. June 14, zoning hearing board; 7 p.m. June 21, environmental advisory council; 7 p.m. June 22, board of commissioners and 7 p.m. June 28, planning commission.