The Whitehall Township commissioners were asked Monday to expand one of the township boards.

The Whitehall Township Industrial & Commercial Development Authority will play a pivotal role in the township's future as the southern area of MacArthur Road is developed.

The commissioners were informed the authority is looking for four new members – two new members plus two others to fill positions vacated by resignation.

Among the resignations is authority President Howard Lieberman. However, Lieberman said he will remain a member to conclude some business. The second resignation resulted from a member who moved out of the township.

"We respectfully request that the commissioners take action at the Feb. 11 commissioners meeting and approve the expansion of the board by two members and then fill those open positions with the applicants that have submitted their resumes and credentials to Whitehall Township," Lieberman wrote in a letter to the board.

Commissioner Thomas Slonaker told Lieberman he is grappling with the request of expanding the authority to nine members. He said it may work for the present but he questioned whether it would be beneficial in the long run.

Lieberman assured the board the authority has shown a commitment to the success of the projects that it has undertaken and its plans for the future. He said the authority secured five applicants for the open seats on the board and will help fill the new positions requested.

Stating each committee on the authority agreed to meet the goals the board created for itself, Lieberman said the required time investment does limit members from serving on committees.

"With the expanded role in the economic growth the board feels it is important to increase its size by two members as previously requested," Lieberman said.

At its Jan.31 meeting, the authority reorganized the duties and responsibilities of its members, establishing a number of committee assignments in order to share the work needed to move economic development forward in the township.

The finance committee will research and consider various local, county, state and federal programs that can be used to promote projects in the township in conjunction with the development committee.

The development committee will work with the commissioners, county and the school district to consider LERTA (Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act) designation for certain areas of the township. LERTA is a state program that would allow tax relief for a specific period for companies moving to designated areas in order to spur development projects that increase employment.

The other committees include marketing and loan pool.