The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners expressed their displeasure with the administration's decision to tap $300,000 from the $1 million Lafarge Fund.

The decision arose from the township's desire to acquire the 12-acre Prydun farm in Hokendauqua without further delay.

"We moved quickly before they Prydun Farm family owners could change their minds," Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. explained at the May 13 meeting. Settlement took place in March on the historic grounds, which includes a 3,000-square-foot two-story residence.

The township will receive grant funding to pay for the property from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and the Lehigh County Green Futures Fund.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers and Hozza said the township did not have the cash available at the time of settlement because the 2013 tax revenue had not yet come in.

As has been the case on previous occasions, Meyers said, on receipt of the grants, the money will be deposited back into the Lafarge account to replace the funds that were withdrawn.

When Meyers explained the commissioners approved the acquisition of the Prydun farm at an earlier meeting, including the cost and grant funding, Commissioners President Linda Snyder said she was not challenging the acquisition, but rather contending the issue of using money from the Lafarge Trust Fund should have come before the board.

Snyder added the township home rule charter addresses such a point.

"It's very clear in the charter," Snyder said when township Solicitor Charles Fonzone commented, "I will give you an opinion."

"I don't like the way it was done," Commissioner Paul Geissinger said. Funds from the state grant, although approved, have not arrived and when they will is uncertain.

"From now on when we get in these positions waiting for grant money, question right away where is the money coming from," recommended Commissioners Vice President Philip Ginder.

As the discussion wound down, Meyers apologized and stated, "I agree we should have better communicated where the money is coming from."

"I see both sides," Ginder said.

"If I'm part of the administration, it just wouldn't happen," Snyder said.

Snyder said she did not dispute the purchase of the farm or the price. Her concern was only that the commissioners did not know money would be taken from the Lafarge fund.

"We were not told about it," Snyder said.