A dozen large decorative flower planters that graced the concrete median strip on the south end of MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township have been moved.

PennDOT ordered the township to remove the planters by Aug. 23.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. and a township employee used a forklift Aug. 22 to relocate them.

Five planters are now situated just off the curb inside the macadam lot at MacArthur Road and Schadt Avenue. Four others are placed in a straight line slightly north of the parking lot.

Hozza placed four large flower planters in front of the municipal building and four large and four small flower planters outside of the township meeting room.

Hozza and his wife used their own money to pay for the flowers in the planters.

Two years ago, the planters were donated to the township by the Lehigh Valley Mall and stored in a barn. In June, Hozza and a summer intern, who is also a member of the township garden club, filled them with roses, yellow day lilies, vines and cannas.

PennDOT spokesman Ron Young said the agency required the planters be moved because of safety concerns and complaints issued to PennDOT.