Whitehall Township has now taken over operations of the West Catasauqua Playground and community building.

In a May 3 memorandum to the township commissioners, Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the West Catty park president failed to adhere to the township ordinance requiring every park and playground association or township organization to submit to the township by July 31 a copy of its financial statement for the previous year and proof of insurance.

"This past July 31, 2012 was the first deadline imposed by the ordinance. Every park and playground association and the Whitehall Historical [Preservation] Society complied with the ordinance, except the West Catasauqua Playground Association," Hozza said.

Those using the playground and park facilities at West Catasauqua will not see any change.

The mayor's memo says the township administration made it clear the township's financial director would assist any organization in need of assistance completing the financial forms. In a certified letter sent to the West Catasauqua park president, a final deadline of April 30, 2013 was given.

On April 30, the park president, whose name was not mentioned in the memo, met with Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers, Recreation Chief Greg Mooney and Hozza, who presented the required financial forms.

"At the conclusion of the meeting, the park president agreed to turn over the operation of the playground to Whitehall Township by giving us the keys," Hozza said.

Hozza said he has taken steps to ensure a smooth transition until the township is "made aware and are satisfied that a group of West Catasauqua residents wish to form a board of directors, elect officers and meet monthly to maintain and run the playground association."

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In other business, rentals will continue to be handled by MaryAnn Boettger and the cleaning of the community building. The township will pay for services and rental income will go into the township controlled West Catasauqua matching funds account.

William Sharkazy will continue to maintain the fields and his compensation will be paid by the township from the annual grass cutting stipend that would have gone to the park.

"We are planning to replace the floor in the community center building in January and we will make repairs to the roof," Hozza said.

All expenses from the park will be paid from the park's township matching funds account.

St. Elizabeth's, Fullerton, and Tri-Boro, which use the fields, were informed there is no change this year. They received new license agreements with the township until the end of this year.