Four apartment complexes in Whitehall Township have submitted real estate assessment appeals to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in an attempt to have their assessments reduced.

Lower assessments for the apartment complexes would result in lower school and township property taxes.

The appeals lodged with the county court are from Village Square Apartments, Mickley Run Apartments, Jordan Park Apartments and Lehigh Valley Apartments, according to a report submitted to the Board of Commissioners by Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr.

Some major commercial properties such as JC Penny and Macy's filed appeals under the old assessments, which had been in place for years. The apartment owners, however, are contesting the new assessments which were made earlier this year. The commercial appeals cases were mainly settled out of court with the property owners given reduced assessments.

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In other business, Hozza announced the township netted $5,234 from the sale of two inspector's cars and a van at a municipal auction last month at the Borough of Northampton municipal complex.

Hozza said the township vehicles auctioned were "totally depreciated vehicles."

Also, Hozza said the liquid fuels fund was recently audited.

"The township received a clean audit," he said.

The liquid fuels fund is a state subsidy from gasoline taxes. The funds pay for some road expenses and winter removal of snow from streets.

In an effort to reduce costs for energy usage, particularly within the street lights budget, the mayor reported the township purchasing agent is involved in researching a way to reduce township energy bills.