A new contract with the Salisbury Township Police Officers Association has been approved with a 4% wage increase in the contract’s first year.

In addition to the compensation increase of 4% in 2025, the increases are 4% in 2026, 4.25% in 2027 and 4.5% in 2028.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 at the Nov. 14 township meeting to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the police association. Commissioner Heather Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Alok Patnaik, to bring the motion to a vote.

Other provisions of the contract include, according to information provided by Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich at the request of a reporter for The Press, are:

•Health insurance (biweekly payroll deduction for single and multi-coverage) is $84, $105 for 2025; $91, $115 for 2026; $98, $125 for 2027 and $105, $135 for 2028.

Employee pension contributions are 3.25% for 2025, 3.25% for 2026, 3.5% for 2027 and 3.5% for 2028.

Other items in the police contract include:

•Increasing the health reimbursement amount from $150 per year to $200 per year for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses;

•Incrementally increasing the uniform allowance from $550 per year to $580 in 2025, $620 in 2026, $660 in 2027 and $700 in 2028;

•Increasing the uniform maintenance allowance from $240 per year to $275 per year, and

•Allowing the carry-over of 40 hours of vacation earned in one calendar year for use in the following calendar year.

At the Nov. 14 meeting, township Police Sgt. Bryan Losagio was recognized for his promotion from township police officer. Losagio was sworn in by township board of commissioners President Debra Brinton. Losagio’s pin was placed on his uniform by his daughter Madison.

Township commissioners voted 5-0, on a motion by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn and seconded by Patnaik, to approve a resolution authorizing the application of a Local Share Account Statewide Grant of $829,666.24 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to purchase updated radio and communication technology for the township police department and volunteer fire companies.

The township would commit 20% in funds to the project’s cost.

Lehigh County is requiring municipalities to update radio communication systems.

“We need to get this for emergency services,” Brinton said.

“We included in the resolution that the township would provide 20%. Hopefully, that will boost our chances,” Bonaskiewich said.

Obtaining the radios and equipment is expected to cost the township $1 million.

Commissioners voted 5-0, on a motion by Conn and seconded by Patnaik, to approve a resolution to adopt the 2024 Salisbury Township Emergency Operations Plan.

In other business at the Nov. 14 meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve:

-Signs for Wildland’s Conservancy’s Black River Sanctuary. Commissioner Alex Karol made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the resolution to a vote.

-Mailbox Replacement Policy. Conn made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the motion to a vote.

-Change Order No.1 for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation Project for an increased cost of $16,500. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Patnaik, to bring the motion to a vote.

-Motion accepting time extension to May 26, 2025, for the Sheffield Square Land Development, 206 E. Lynnwood St. Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the motion to a vote.

At the Oct. 24 meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve:

-Resolution increasing the compensation to zoning hearing board and planning commission members as of Jan. 1, 2025, through the accounts payable system, with the per-meeting payment of $50 for chairman and secretary and $40 for other members. Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the resolution to a vote.

-Resolution adopting the Lehigh Valley 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Wyatt Davis, Salisbury Township emergency management coordinator, updated commissioners. Conn made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the resolution to a vote.

-Resolution confirming Plot 886 LLC waiver to develop 886 Flexer Ave. and releasing Plot 886 LLC Letter of Credit. Attorney Jason A. Ulrich, Gross McGinley LLP, township solicitor, said the original plan was submitted five years ago but is being abandoned by the owners, who sold the property to new owners, who do not plan to develop the property according to previously-approved plans by the planning commission and board of commissioners. Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the resolution to a vote.

-Motion to name Bryan Losagio from the promotional eligibility list to the rank of sergeant. Conn made the motion, seconded by Patnaik, to bring the motion to a vote.

-Motion authorizing removal of three environmental advisory council members because of a lack of participation. Lipkin, the commissioners liaison to the EAC, said the EAC has lacked a quorum since February, which has prevented the EAC from holding official meetings. The three EAC members missed three or more meetings, exceeding the two unexcused absences permitted under the bylaws. Residents are sought to fill vacancies for the third, fourth and fifth wards. Karol made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the motion to a vote.

The Salisbury Township meeting schedule includes: 7 p.m. Nov. 26, board of commissioners, rescheduled from Nov. 28 because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday; 7 p.m. Nov. 27, planning commission, canceled; 7 p.m. Dec. 4, planning commission; 7 p.m. Dec. 11, zoning hearing board; 7 p.m. Dec. 12, board of commissioners and 7 p.m. Dec. 18, environmental advisory council.