Whitehall-Coplay Press

With construction of the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge now in the first few months of its third year, Lehigh County Director of Special Projects Rick Molchany said the new span over the Lehigh River linking the two boroughs should be open to vehicle traffic in May.

This is the second part of a two-part series on the state of Whitehall Township in 2015.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. recently delivered the seventh annual "State of Whitehall Township" address. In the report Hozza looked back at the accomplishments of 2014 and outlined a vision for the future in 2015.

Among the items discussed was the replacement of the township police station on Lehigh Street, slated to begin in 2017.

The meeting room of the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners likely will sport a camera this year. It will be used to telecast meetings.

According to Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr., the administration is considering telecasting board meetings following a directive from the commissioners.

Commissioner and Secretary Dennis Hower is pushing for the installation of the cameras.

He questioned the board on the status of the cameras at the Jan. 5 meeting.

Future restoration of the historic Saylor Cement Kilns in Coplay by Lehigh County, the only remaining Schoefer vertical kilns in the world, can depend mostly on a just completed inspection by Spillman Farmer Architects, Bethlehem.

In the near future, Whitehall Township police officers may be equipped with body cameras to record contact and stops with motorists and record other incidents.

Township Police Lieutenant Ribello Bertoni said Jan. 9 the Whitehall Township Police Department "is exploring our options."

According to Bertoni, the earliest the camera would arrive is 2016.

The rubble of the former Perkins Restaurant on MacArthur road could be removed over the next few weeks in order for a new land development plan, approved by the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, to proceed.

The commissioners acted on a recommendation by the township planning commission that approval for the project be allowed, noting several conditions must be met.

Overlooking the Lehigh Valley Thruway/Route 22, the new use of the property will not include construction of a restaurant, but be a retail business.

Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series on Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr.'s address.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. recently delivered the seventh annual "State of Whitehall Township" report. In the report Hozza looked back at the accomplishments of 2014 and outlined a vision for the future in 2015. He also brought up a milestone in the township's history, the 50th anniversary celebration of the township's municipal building

"For 50 years this building has stood to remind us that together we are one Whitehall Township," Hozza stated.

The Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board of Adjustment has granted a variance and special exception to DriveLine, LLC, 1000 MacArthur Road, Allentown, for a proposed vehicle repair shop on MacArthur Road.

Gary Hess and Craig Peoples offered testimony at a recent hearing. Hess and Peoples noted the premises covers 5,800 square feet, including two bays and lifts, and will will employ two full-time mechanics.

The zoning board was informed vehicle body work will not be performed on site, nor will there be any vehicle sales.

Whitehall Township will have its fourth woman to be a member of the township police force once she completes her training at the Allentown Police Academy.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. informed the township board of commissioners of the new hire at its Jan. 12 meeting.

"The Civil Service Commission met to certify three names for the hiring of a new police officer, as provided for in the budget," he said. "Lindsey Whipple was the successful hire."

Whipple will be enrolled at the police academy this month.

Winter may have spared Whitehall Township from having its public works personnel plow snow from the miles of streets in the township, but it has not spared its wrath on the continuing number of potholes which pop up on streets.

In December, John Rackus, director of public works, informed the township board of commissioners and the administration that one-third of the month, 10 days, had personnel patching potholes, and there is no let-up in January.