At the Oct. 9 Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting, a few residents came before the board to express their “dismay over the removal of Commissioner Andy Roman.”

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners took action, at the end of the Sept. 11 meeting, acknowledging Roman has forfeited his office, per the township’s Home Rule Charter, because of consistent absences.

According to Article III, section 3.08 of the township’s Home Rule Charter, a commissioner shall forfeit office if he or she “fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings without being excused by the board of commissioners.”

Roman is recovering from a stroke and has reportedly missed every public meeting since Nov. 14, 2022. These absences were considered excused until the July 10 meeting.

Roman said he sent emails to township Solicitor Jack Gross and board President Joe Marx and offered to provide doctor’s notes and reports to stay compliant.

He said he also suggested, on three separate occasions, that he would be willing to attend virtually. He was told that was not in the charter.

Township resident LoriAnn Fehnel said she felt Roman’s request to attend meetings via Zoom was a reasonable accommodation and that he deserved a courtesy phone call before he missed a third meeting. Further, Fehnel said the municipal building’s doors not being automated makes it difficult for someone in a wheelchair, walker or motorized scooter to enter the building.

Another resident questioned what makes an absence excused versus unexcused.

Roman, a Republican, had been on the board for a year and a half. His term is set to expire in December 2025.

Per the Home Rule Charter, the board has 45 days after a vacancy to fill the seat with someone of the same party.

Later in the meeting, board President Joe Marx addressed the concerns the township building is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The building, Marx said, is “completely 100% ADA compliant,” according to the township’s architects and engineers. Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers confirmed the statement by Marx.

“We wouldn’t have gotten an occupancy permit without [being ADA compliant],” he said.

Marx said he didn’t disagree that the doors should be automated and reported Meyers is currently looking into those costs.

In other business, commissioners approved a motion accepting a $117,600 proposal from Herbert, Rowland and Grubic for a Jefferson Park feasibility study and updates to the parks, recreation, open space and trail comprehensive plan.

Once completed, the plan will outline the next 10 years for the township.

Additionally, Elizabeth Fox, John Kelly, Andrea Schumack and Robert Miller were reappointed to the recreation commission, with terms ending Dec. 31, 2026.

Commissioners set trick-or-treat night for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27, with a rain date of Oct. 28.

The board will next meet 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.