This winter season has been one of the most challenging and expensive in recent memory for Whitehall Township.

The board of commissioners were provided with an update at their Feb. 10 meeting on the status of snow removal, salt supplies, available manpower and equipment.

The commissioners praised the public works and parks and recreation personnel who have been busy clearing the roads of snow and ice.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. reported International Salt, the township's COSTARS cooperative municipal purchasing program supplier, delivered 24 tons of salt by 5 p.m. that same day. Before that delivery, the township's salt supply had been dwindling.

Hozza said as of Jan. 3, the township had spent $170,000 on road salt, $30,000 in overtime for public works and recreation parks crews working 12-hour shifts on snow and ice removal.

Hozza also reported Feb. 3 four dump trucks early in the day had experienced mechanical problems.

"Within two hours, three of the four trucks were repaired and placed back in service," Hozza said. "The fourth truck required parts that were ordered. The truck was repaired and back in service by the end of the week. Crews worked through the day and night to plow all township streets."

The commissioners were told snow removal from areas across the township have continued since Friday.

"We have several estimates for removal by private contractors to assist," Hozza said.

Weather reports indicate the Lehigh Valley has not seen the last snowstorm of the season.

In other business, police issued over 100 warnings and citations to residential and commercial property owners for not shoveling or throwing snow in to streets.