Whitehall Township's motor vehicle fleet will soon receive an upgrade.

The upgrade is the result of an ongoing capital equipment program designed to cut down repair and other expenses by investing in new motorized vehicles and equipment.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. last Friday reported the township has recently ordered a Mack dump truck, a sign truck, a pickup truck for the public works department and two new police vehicles.

The purchases are coming from the township's Capital Reserve Account and were made via bidding. The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners and the administration set aside funds in the 2014 budget for the purchases.

"We have applied for a Lehigh County Casino grant for two additional police vehicles," Hozza said.

Additionally, the township is awaiting the results of a grant application. To date, the township has not received any casino grant funding.

The board of commissioners also announced that Michael "Mike" Holubowsky, one of the township's longest tenured employees, retired last Friday, July 11. Holubowsky had been a supervisor with the Public Works Department. He was employed by the township for more than 40 years.

Hozza also said in an effort to improve communications and any misinformation, township employees will be sent periodic updates.