WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A request to split a land development project into two phases at a continuing care retirement community was unanimously approved by the board of commissioners Monday.
The action was among several project approvals from the commissioners.
Fellowship Community plans to expand by constructing 24 luxury apartments over three buildings on its 67-acre campus at 3600 Mauch Chunk Road.
Fellowship Community made the request to amend its original plan because of a lack of funding for the security deposit for the infrastructure.
Each building at The Suites at Fellowship Community would include apartments with 1,050-1,450 square feet, featuring smart home technology.
Funding for radios OK’d
Commissioners also approved the spending nearly $900,000 for radios and associated hardware for the township’s emergency services personnel.
The board approved an ordinance authorizing a loan from the Lafarge Fund for those purchases.
However, a decision on whether the $879,174.06 would come from the Lafarge Fund alone, the budget or a combination of both, will be made in November, when the township sets its budget for next year.
Whichever plan is chosen, the payment will be made to Lehigh County, which created financing for the bulk purchase of radios for the emergency responders in municipalities throughout the county.
The new radio purchases became necessary as the county has begun converting to a more effective digital system.
The transition has been ongoing the past five years. Every local agency in the county communicates on the same frequency.
The new radios will be delivered to emergency services personnel by year’s end, per the county’s plan.
The $1.2 million Lafarge Fund is a restricted capital fund established in 1998 when Lafarge North America, a subsidiary of Holcim Group, formerly LafargeHolcim, opened a quarry in the township.
The fund was created as part of the agreement for the quarry opening, with a part of the value of the land under Bridge Street transferred to the township.
The county has a promissory note/agreement to offer zero interest financing for any entity interested over five years or a 10-year payback plan at 5% interest, Meyers said.
Whitehall Township has the option to repay the debt to the county interest free over five years, beginning in 2026, at $175,834.81 annually each June.
Municipalities reserve the option of also paying back the funding at an accelerated rate.
Park cameras funding approved
The board also Monday approved buying video surveillance cameras that will be installed at parks and recreation areas to deter incidents of vandalism.
Keystone Fire and Security submitted the winning bid of $36,515.
Cameras will be installed at Cementon Park, Egypt Memorial Park, Mickley-Prydun Farm and Hokendauqua Park and Playground.
Also, at Jefferson Street Memorial Playground, Schadt Avenue Playground (Zephyr Park) and West Catasauqua Playground.
A five-year agreement with PenTeleData will cost $1,319.60 per month to provide Wi-Fi capabilities to operate the cameras.
Other business
Also Monday, commissioners approved a resolution to request $266,496 from Lehigh County to effectuate repairs and upgrades to the classroom at the township’s fire training center.
Approval also was given to authorize the township to apply for a $20,230 state grant for the posting of signs for the Greenways, Trails and Recreation program for the Jefferson Street Recreation Study.
