Whitehall Township may put funding in next year's budget for bridge repairs and maintenance.

During a report to the commissioners, Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. cited the public works department activities and said there is a need to begin completing repairs to township bridges that have been noted on inspection reports, small bridges other than the larger county and state bridges.

He suggested for 2015 that the township modify major paving and direct some funding to the bridge repairs. In the long run, he said, this will save the township money for the life cycle of the streets.

The commissioners were informed the public works department completed a surface evaluation of streets in 2013. Hozza said the findings from the survey should allow the township to come up with a plan for getting the most for its dollars.

Tree branches dropped off by residents at the township's Cameron tract off Schadt Avenue are being ground up and then hauled away by tractor trailers. The township benefits because it derives income from the sale of grindings, the public works department notes. These funds offset the township's cost for the grinding service and reduce the number of tree branches going into landfills. Another benefit is the township receives recycling credits when it submits an annual report to Harrisburg.

"This was made possible by the cooperation and forward thinking of the First Regional Compost Authority," Hozza said.

A big weapon in the public works department arsenal in targeting weeds is the tiger mower. Commissioners were told the specialized equipment is out daily. Employees also conduct road surveys as requested, maintaining sight distance at traffic lights and areas where hand work attention is needed.