One of the first matters the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners will tackle in 2014 is determining whether the administration can utilize the $1 million Lafarge fund on a temporary basis.

At last Monday's workshop, Commissioner Gerard "Jerry" Palagonia proposed drafting legislation that would allow the administration to seek emergency money by way of the fund. The money later would be credited back to the Lafarge fund.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the name of the Lafarge Fund may be changed to the Lafarge Trust Fund.

The Lafarge Fund was established when the Lafarge Corp. opened a new quarry, contributing $1.7 million to the township for road projects.

The issue of using the fund arose in March when the administration acquired the Prydun Farm in Hokendauqua by pulling $115,000 from the Lafarge account in anticipation of a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR). The commissioners agreed to purchase the Prydun Farm, but were unaware the Lafarge Fund was utilized, even on a temporary basis.

To date, DCNR has not yet provided the promised grant funding. Hozza told board members Monday the administration expects the money will arrive in January or February.

Palagonia said the wording of the proposed ordinance should apply to fund interests. As the discussion continued, he said the principal is also included in the legislation. The fund receives approximately $2,500 in interest annually from the account.

Commissioner President Linda Snyder said no amount should be taken from the account without prior permission from the board.

At the November meeting, Hozza and Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers were not opposed to the commissioners enacting such legislation. Hozza said the home rule charter requires township administrators to get the consent of the commissioners for expenditures of $25,000 and above.

The Lafarge Fund had been used in the past for paying bills before real estate tax revenues arrived. It was also used for Lehigh County's bridge construction project on Mickley Road.

Saying it was the suggestion of Commissioner Paul Geissinger, Palagonia asked whether a special meeting on the issue would be held later this month. Geissinger, who leaves office at the end of the year, was not present at the meeting.

"It's simple," board Vice President Philip Ginder said. Money should be withdrawn from the Lafarge fund only when the board approves a transfer.

Ginder said a special meeting is not needed. He added there would be legal costs added since the solicitor would have to be present at the session.

"You lawyers need to eat, too," Ginder said.

Solicitor Charles Fonzone is currently writing a draft of the proposed legislation, which will require a public reading and advertisement before a vote can be taken, presumably in January.