Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said 18 property owners in the township have submitted appeals to Lehigh County Court. These appeals to the county's recent real estate reassessments could impact the township's revenue base, Hozza told the township commissioners at their meeting last Monday.

The 18 owners, according to Hozza, involve 32 properties.

"At risk is about $20,032,380 in assessed value, which equates to $56,091 in tax revenue," Hozza said.

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In other business, the five towing companies that have been providing service to the township will continue to offer services in 2013, Hozza told the commissioners.

Also, Hozza said beginning in April the township volunteer firefighters will no longer be insured for workers' compensation claims.

"This action, which is being done by almost every insurer, is as a result of the Cancer Presumption Act, which was signed into law last year. The township has secured future coverage with the State Workers Insurance Fund. However, where the township was once paying $12,000 for this coverage, the amount will skyrocket to $35,000 annually," Hozza noted.

Savings will come from another area of the budget. The township expects to save thousands of dollars annually by contracting with Hess Corporation for the management of the township's electric rates for the township's nearly 2,100 street lights.

On another bright note, Hozza said, "The township continues to enjoy success in collecting municipal liens. Three more garbage and weed liens were satisfied. Additionally the Bramble property was sold which will also see the satisfaction of over a half dozen liens."