Whitehall Township commissioners weren't happy with testimony at a hearing Monday.

As a result, a vote on whether to grant a request by National Plastics Corp. won't take place until next month.

The company, based in Palmer Township, is seeking approval to lease 40,000 square feet of space at Riverside Industrial Park on Lehigh Avenue.

The site was once the home of Tarkett, a former floor covering manufacturer.

Company owner Murish Sori told the commissioners there would be 15 employees at the site. Sori testified no issues exist with his plant operations in Palmer Township but that he needs more space for operations.

Sori's testimony unraveled when Commissioner Dennis Hower questioned him about a fire that took place in the plant's yard, reportedly spewing columns of black smoke into the sky.

Sori said no one was injured in that fire and all operations and materials would be kept inside the Whitehall complex.

Commissioner Gerard Palagonia said he was troubled by Sori's testimony, commenting it was "misleading."

Commissioner Vice President Philip Ginder said he was taken back by the owner's lack of openness regarding the fire, adding next month, Sori should present his testimony with more candor.

Questions also surrounded the smell of plastic undergoing 400-degree heat and the lack of air conditioning at the site and noise.

Sori asserted there are no issues with noise and smell.

Commissioner Paul Geissinger said he needs more information on the sprinkler system, which Sori described as a dry system.

Fire Chief Robert Benner and experts on fire suppression systems will be asked to attend next month's hearing to testify.

The plant, according to Sori, would process post-industrial plastic byproduct materials comprised of plastic trim and obsolete plastic finished products. A granulator is used to grind the materials into 3/8-inch flakes. The material is colored, baled and then shipped to other manufacturers for use as a raw material.