During the Feb. 10 Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting, Mayor Joseph R. Marx Jr. said he is looking to potentially close Water Street temporarily until a permanent solution is established and put in place.

Anthony Jezick, a resident on Water Street, asked Marx and the board if there were any updates regarding the situation in Darktown after Ed Tomcics was struck by a vehicle and died on Christmas. Jezick also spoke at last month’s commissioners meeting, with many residents from Water Street, pleading for the board to do something about the street’s safety. The investigation into Tomcics’ death is still ongoing.

Board President Thomas Slonaker said the situation was being handled by the mayor and the board didn’t know of any recent updates.

Marx noted he drafted a petition for the residents of Darktown, asking if they would be OK with a street closure until a permanent solution is thought of and solidified. Jezick passed the petition along to his neighbors in Darktown, who voiced their opinions on the potential closure of Water Street.

According to the results from the petition, 27 property owners said yes to closing Water Street. Eight properties were unoccupied units or not applicable. Marx reported the petition results met the 70% threshold for Darktown, which will give him the full authority to potentially close Water Street.

Marx met with two members of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and a member from Local Technical Assistance Program. According to information from LTAP’s website, it is a group that “provides technologies on roadway maintenance and safety to meet the demands of municipalities.”

A suggestion was made by LTAP to create a traffic calming or a traffic study, which could be done by the committee.

Commissioner Vice President Jeffrey Warren also reported they are considering a safety plan, not only for Water Street, but to address traffic calming plans for all neighborhoods.

Marx noted that while he has the authority and approval to temporarily close Water Street, he hasn’t yet made a decision.

Marx said he reached out to traffic consultant Peter Terry, who is doing research and figuring out what will be needed to close Water Street.

Marx also said he cleared the closure of Water Street with the local police and fire departments.

“I just ask for your patience, and we’ll continue to move forward,” Marx said. “I’ll do my very best to have this problem resolved.”

Jezick also brought up concerns regarding children living in Darktown, who are reportedly forced to walk up the street to catch the school bus.

“We still have kids where the bus refuses to come down there (Water Street),” Jezick said. “I don’t know why they can’t pick these kids up.”

Marx reported this concern was taken to the school district a couple of weeks ago.

“We asked them to address the situation,” Marx said. “They acknowledged that six children live in the neighborhood. We need a safe alternate route for these kids to get to a bus stop, or you need to get a bus down here, whether it’s a minibus or whatever it may be.”

Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners will meet for a workshop March 3 and a regular meeting March 10. Both are held at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.