South Whitehall commissioners, during their Aug. 7 meeting, approved a bid of $224,335 from TuWay Communications, Bethlehem, for the final phase of the emergency radio replacement project.

The amount includes $199,710 for a radio tower section and $24,625 for enhancements at the public works and administration departments.

An additional option for emergency radio improvements at the main tower, Parkland High School, the township building, Cedarbrook, and the Lehigh County 911 Center was approved at a cost of $31,275.

The total project, undertaken in 2009, carries a price tag of $796,255.

The board approved a transfer of $70,000 from the capital reserve to cover additional expenses associated with the 2011 and 2012 township audits.

The amount will also cover the audits being conducted by Buckno Lisicky of the four township fire companies and treasurer.

Resident Manly Offutt asked why taxpayer dollars are being used to audit the fire companies and whether this will become a yearly occurrence.

Township Manager Jon Hammer replied.

"We want to make sure township monies are spent appropriately," Hammer said. "It's not our intent to do this annually, but the board will decide."

Public Works ManagerBob Ibach reported on a pedestrian crossing study conducted at the Broadway and N. 42nd St. intersection.

The $2,900 project was authorized after a request from the Public Safety Commission last September.

Concern was expressed about the safety of residents walking to the Lehigh County Recreation Fields.

At that time, Chairman Stuart Shmookler of the Public Safety Commission, requested the township consider adding a marked crosswalk with appropriate signage at that intersection.

Ibach said a pedestrian count on June 25, a Tuesday, tallied only one person crossing the street at Broadway and N. 42nd St. in the morning to wait at a bus stop.

The same individual returned and got off the bus later in the day.

No one else crossed the roadway on that date.

Commissioners decided not to proceed with any further evaluations of that crossing now but may take another look in the future.

Pedestrians are advised to cross Broadway at the signalized intersection at Parkway Boulevard.