Whitehall Township continues to aggressively pursue claims that exceed $100,000 it contends are owed by businesses, including one case before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The board of commissioners was Sept. 9 by Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. about the township's efforts to collect all owed taxes. The amounts originate from various businesses that have not paid the township taxes owed.

"The township met with our tax auditor and legal counsel for audits for updates on specific cases," Hozza advised the commissioners. "There are several matters which involve claims well over $100,000. The township's appeal of the Giles & Ransome case is still pending before the Supreme Court [Pennsylvania]."

The township has no knowledge when the state's highest court will come down with a decision on the Giles & Ransome issue, which has been brewing for several years.

Hozza also provided an update regarding liens filed with Lehigh County that involve delinquent garbage collection payment accounts and other amounts owed, such as real estate.

"The township continued to be successful in collection of liens," Hozza said. "A handful of liens were in the process of satisfaction. It included one property which had two garbage liens with a satisfaction amount of $4,000."

Also at the meeting, with the stock market and investments continuing to rebound from earlier years when the economy faltered, the commissioners were informed of a meeting held with Cornerstone by the township's management and police pension board to review quarterly performance, which point to robust gain.

"The pension plan continues to flourish with the new manager overseeing the portfolio," Hozza said.