Andy Scott was honored for his contribution to fund the Salisbury Township Police Department K-9 Patrol Unit.

With the donation by Scott, the township police K-9 patrol was able to expand from one to two police dogs.

Scott, dealer principal/owner, the Scott Family of Dealerships, was presented with a commemorative plaque at the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners Aug. 8 meeting. Accompanying Scott and also receiving a plaque was Alex Morra, general sales manager, Scott Family of Dealerships.

The Scott Family of Dealerships, located along the Lehigh Auto Mile, includes Cadillac, Chevrolet, Mazda and Volvo dealerships.

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Donald Sabo presented the honors.

Sabo explained to commissioners the importance of having two K-9s on patrol.

“One dog is on each patrol. So, seven days there’s a dog on patrol,” Sabo said.

The K-9 dogs live with the patrolmen and their families.

Salisbury Township Police Officer Brian Zulic is the handler of Ryker, a Dutch Shepherd.

Salisbury Township Police Officer Kyle Watson is the handler of Echo, a Belgian Malinois.

The K-9s are the fifth and sixth on the Salisbury police force since the program’s inception. The first K-9 unit, Zeus, with Salisbury Police Officer Jason Laky, went into service in 2003.

The township police department’s most recent K-9, Miklo, died in October 2023 after five years of service.

Sabo said Scott donated $15,000, which paid for purchasing the two K-9s.

The township police K-9s have served as department ambassadors at public events.

A K-9 is typically trained to assist police in searching for drugs and explosives, locating missing people, finding crime-scene evidence, protecting officers and attacking suspects who flee.

In his report to commissioners, Sabo lauded “National Night Out 2024,” held Aug. 6 at Salisbury Elementary School.

“Considering it poured right at the start, a lot of people turned out,” Sabo said.

“Lt. [Christopher] Casey did a lot of the leg work for it,” Sabo said.

Sabo thanked the vendors and contributors to “National Night Out,” including: Allentown Public Library, the state office of Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, Pinebrook Family Services, Lehigh County Sheriff, Lehigh County EMA, Lehigh County CERT, Salisbury Township EMA, Texas Road House, Salisbury Youth Association, Mission BBQ, Kasey Lynn’s Catering, Eastern Salisbury Fire Department, Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company, Vallos Bakery, Stevie Blatz Entertainment and So Cool Bus (Ice Cream).

Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company Trustee and Safety Officer Jerry Royer, in his update about the new Swain Station, said the dedication ceremony and open house for the station is planned 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 28.

According to the Western Fire Company website, $3,376,986 has been raised of the $3,546,789 budget for the project.

Royer said garage doors, flooring, cabinets and shelving and painting are among the items nearing completion.

“The water system works,” Royer said.

“Probably in the next two to three weeks, we should be nearly complete,” Royer said.

“Everything is going the way I hoped it would. Thank you for your support,” Royer said to commissioners.

The August Salisbury Township municipal meetings schedule is: 7 p.m. Aug. 14, zoning hearing board, canceled; 7 p.m. Aug. 21, environmental advisory council; 7 p.m. Aug. 22, board of commissioners and 7 p.m. Aug. 28, planning commission.