A standing-room-only gathering of Whitehall Township residents filled the board of commissioners chambers Sept. 9 to primarily discuss the trash and recycling contract and ongoing concerns regarding the operations of the tax office.

Commissioners unanimously approved a five-year contract with J.P. Mascaro and Sons for a total cost of $23 million. This represents an 88% increase from the last contract, which was approved five years ago.

A number of residents questioned the contract process and the high rate of increase. Commissioners assured those present they fully vetted and investigated the contract before the vote. They explained they will be relaying the actual costs to residents during the next few months, including discounts for senior citizens and consideration of discounts for people in lower-income categories.

Commissioners reported they only had two qualified bidders that applied for the contract. J.P. Mascaro and Sons serviced Whitehall several years ago.

Both Mascaro representatives and commissioners indicated there would be careful review of the services provided for the community.

Earlier in the meeting, LoriAnn Fehnel, Joni Tedesco and Dawn Saganowich addressed the board with their ongoing concerns about personnel issues in the tax office and the treatment the township treasurer.

Tedesco, quoting Shakespeare, said, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” a statement that received applause from the assembled residents.

They, and others, are still seeking information on who wrote reportedly “unprofessional” statements that were posted on the door of the office. The letter, printed on official township letterhead, was unsigned and undated. Right To Know requests have been filed, they confirmed.

The letter was also posted on the Whitehall Township Facebook page.

Board President Thomas Slonaker reported he and his colleagues could not speak on the issues due to personal and legal concerns.

Dennis Hower, union representative for the office employees, offered his assistance and suggested the alleged contention in the tax office could be collectively solved.

“Let’s take the high road,” Hower said.

Commissioners collectively thanked the residents for their attendance at the meeting and the willingness to express their concerns.

Later in the meeting, Treasurer Tina Koren announced the office was putting a method in place for residents to pay their taxes directly through their bank or a credit card system. She noted this would be put in place in the near future.

Fehnel shared her concerns, saying many citizens cannot use these systems.

In other business, Berkheimer Tax Innovations was approved as the collector in the areas of levying, collecting, assessing and enforcing the business privilege tax.

Commissioners reflected on recent achievements, including the summer concert series, and approved Oct. 25 as the official trick-or-treat night in the township.

The board of commissioners next meet, for a workshop, 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.