Two Cathys were in the spotlight at the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners meeting.

The retirement of Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich was accepted.

The appointment of Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Gorman was made.

Salisbury commissioners voted 5-0 unanimously at the April 10 meeting for a resolution to accept “the retirement notice from and expressing the appreciation of the members of the board of commissioners to Cathy Bonaskiewich for her years of service to the township and its citizens.

Commissioner Alok Patnaik made the motion, seconded by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

The resolution notes Cathy Bonaskiewich “has submitted her notice of intent to retire from the position of township manager for the Township of Salisbury effective Aug. 1, 2025; and whereas, Cathy Bonaskiewich has been a dedicated employee who has rendered valuable and capable service to this board and the citizens of the Township of Salisbury for 40 years; and whereas, this board deems it appropriate to acknowledge the accomplished service of Cathy Bonaskiewich during her tenure with Salisbury Township.”

The resolution continues: “Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners on behalf of its members, staff and all of the citizens of the Township of Salisbury that it accepts with grateful appreciation the notice of intent to retire from Cathy Bonaskiewich for the many years of capable and dedicated service she has rendered to the Township;

“And be it further resolved that the members of the board have approved a severance agreement with Cathy Bonaskiewich based on past practice and because of her many years of service to the township;

“And be it further resolved that the best wishes of the members of this Board and staff be extended to Cathy Bonaskiewich for a long and happy retirement. approved and adopted this 10th day of April, 2025 at a regular public meeting.”

Salisbury commissioners voted 5-0 unanimously at the April 10 meeting for a resolution “appointing Cathy Gorman as township manager and assistant township secretary effective April 28, 2025, and be it be it further resolved that the annual salary amount for year 2025 shall be established at $142,000.”

Commissioner Heather Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Alex Karol, to bring the motion to a vote.

Gorman, Lower Saucon Township acting manager-finance director, had accepted the offer to succeed Bonaskiewich as Salisbury Township manager.

Bonaskiewich’s last day is May 2 because of accumulated days off not taken. She will work side by side with Gorman for about one week.

Bonaskiewich began her Salisbury government career as a township clerk in April 1986. Bonaskiewich has been Salisbury Township manager officially for eight years and acting township manager for two years. She was previously finance director-assistant manager.

“I’m sad, but I’m happy that you and your husband can do the things that you want to do,” Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners President Debra J. Brinton said to Bonaskiewich.

“As much as we miss Cathy, we look forward to another Cathy,” Brinton said, referring to Gorman.

In other business, the board of commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt an ordinance “adopting regulations to require the testing, inspection, repair and replacement of sewers and sewer laterals for certain structures in the township including existing nonresidential buildings and upon the resale of residential buildings and providing for remedies and penalties for noncompliance.”

Conn made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the ordinance to a vote.

The ordinance pertains to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Consent Order, Sept. 28, 2009, for municipalities, including Salisbury, whose sewage is treated at the Lehigh County Authority Kline’s Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, Allentown.

The ordinance notes “the Township of Salisbury has invested millions of dollars to reduce stormwater inflow and infiltration entering the township’s sanitary sewer system, which ultimately flows to the WWTP;

And “private building sewers and laterals are potential, significant contributors of I&I into sanitary sewer systems.

“A sewer lateral inspection and repair program is vital to the proper maintenance of its municipal sanitary system.

“In order to address the EPA and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection mandatory requirements for reduction of groundwater infiltration and exfiltration, the township desires to implement a program to inspect and ensure the proper maintenance of private building sewers and sewer laterals so as to comply with the township’s part of a regional plan for sanitary sewers submitted to the EPA and PA DEP; and “to reduce or eliminate I&I in the township’s sanitary sewer system, so as to reduce costs, fully comply with stormwater requirements, cause positive environmental impacts and reduce stress on the WWTP.”

Violations of the ordinance may incur fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 per day, plus court costs and attorney’s fees incurred by the township.

The 41-page ordinance is on the township website under the April 10 meeting agenda.

In other business at the April 10 meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve motions:

- Awarding road equipment rental with operators bid to Bracalente Construction. Inc.

Conn made the motion, seconded by Lipkin.

- Rescinding the township street plowing and cindering policy.

Karol made the motion, seconded by Conn.

“This has to do with a number of properties that are not township roads,” Brinton said before the vote.

- Authorizing disposition of township vehicles and equipment via “Municibid, online government auctions; trade-in for new vehicle or vehicles as is permitted by the state’s Co-Star Program, or sale by public bid or auction: 2011 International dump truck 4x6, 86,953 miles; 2013 Dodge charger, 99,200 miles; 2010 Ford Expedition, 137,596 miles; Alamo Boom mower; Katolight generator 50kw; Laars gas boiler.

Conn made the motion, seconded by Patnaik.

- Authorizing ceasing of planning commission notification mailings and advertising.

Karol made the motion, seconded by Lipkin.

“Sandy’s department did a wonderful thing online. People will be able to see it online,” Brinton said about planning commission agendas before the vote, referring to Salisbury Assistant Township Manager-Director, Community Development Sandy Nicolo.

- Authorizing engagement of Consultant Strategic Solutions LLC to conduct a comprehensive plan update.

Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Lipkin.

“We’re a little behind for that. The Municipal Planning Code requires it,” Nicolo said before the vote.

The contract is to not exceed $75,000, it was stated.

“It’s in the budget. It will probably be a two-year budget process,” Salisbury Township Director of Finance Paul Ziegenfus said before the vote.

- Authorizing entering into a Permanent Traffic Signal Easement Agreement and a Pedestrian Easement Agreement with Nicholas Park Mall LLC.

Conn made the motion, seconded by Patnaik.

“This is a requirement made by the attorney for the developer,” Bonaskiewich said before the vote.

“The documentation is routine. I reviewed it and recommend it,” Attorney John F. “Jack” Gross, managing partner at Gross McGinley, LLP, township solicitor firm, said before the vote.

The traffic signal easement and pedestrian easement pertains to the South Mall, which is being readied for a Giant food store, to be built there.

- Authorizing Entering into a Permanent Traffic Signal Easement Agreement with SAR Associates LLC.

The easement pertains to a property along Lehigh Street across from the South Mall. There are no sidewalks along the south side of Lehigh Street in that area.

Conn made the motion, seconded by Karol.

- Authorizing Land Lease Agreement with Kriger Construction, and Land Lease Agreement with JD Eckman Inc.

Karol made the motion, seconded by Lipkin.

“They’re doing construction and they’re storing equipment on it. And they’re paying us,” Karol said before the vote.

The township property is formerly the site of McAuliffe Asphalt Paving, Inc.

- Authorizing Renewal of Franko Lease Agreement.

Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Patnaik.

“She does a lovely job,” Brinton said of the lessee Valentine Durner before the vote.

The lease is from June to May 31, 2026.

Salisbury Township meetings in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., include: 7 p.m. April 16, environmental advisory council; 7 p.m. April 23, planning commission and 7 p.m. April 24, board of commissioners.