The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners are poised to adopt legislation barring the administration from using the Lafarge Fund without authorization.

The Lafarge Fund was established when the Lafarge Corporation opened a new quarry and contributed $1.7 million to the township.

In order to close the deal on the purchase of the Prydun Farm in Hokendauqua, the township administration pulled $115,000 from the Lafarge Fund in anticipation of promised reimbursement from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

To date, the township is still waiting to receive a check from the state.

At Monday's meeting, Commissioner Gerard "Jerry" Palagonia asked if the DCNR provided grant funding, as it initially promised.

"How are we doing with the Lafarge fund?" Palagonia asked.

Palagonia said he has heard rumors the township is not scheduled to receive the money.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said he is unaware of any such rumors and added he would like to know who made such a claim.

The administration contends no township dollars are involved in the transaction.

However, Commissioners President Linda Snyder said the funds pulled from the Lafarge Fund are, in fact, township funds.

Pushing for legislation to bar the administration from dipping into the Lafarge Fund again, Palagonia said he wants to make sure "not even one penny, not the interest or the principal" is used without authorization.

Solicitor Charles Fonzone will draft an ordinance for the board to consider.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers, who handles much of the township's finances, said the administration would go to the board in the future to seek authorization before using the Lafarge Fund.

"We want it in writing," Snyder said, adding the ordinance would serve this purpose.

In the past, the township has used the Lafarge Fund to pay bills for the first quarter of the year before tax revenues begin to arrive. The fund also has been used for major equipment purchases that received board approval.

"Personally I was upset ]the money] was taken out. I know it was for a good cause," Palagonia said.

The board earlier unanimously approved the Prydun Farm acquisition, but the commissioners said they had no knowledge the Lafarge Fund was involved.