Whitehall Township is going to battle with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection over a $42,000 fine imposed on the township.

The fine relates to the demotion of a township-owned structure in which asbestos was found.

Commissioner Dennis Hower raised the issue at the Aug. 11 commissioners meeting.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. in a report to the commissioners detailed facts surrounding the dispute with the EPA decision.

The building in question is a vacant two-story structure at Third and Grape streets, which the township acquired for the widening of the intersection on Grape Street.

"The township, principally through legal counsel, is dealing with a violation related to the demolition of the property at Third and Grape streets," Hozza said.

Hozza also said the contractor hired by the township failed to properly contain the asbestos from the building and thereby violated EPA regulations. The event was witnessed by an EPA inspector.

Township commissioners were told the township was named because it is the property owner, even though all the bid documents place the responsibility for the asbestos abatement on the contractor, Hozza said.

"Knowing this was an issue, the administration did not pay 50 percent of the contract amount," Hozza said. "The total proposed fine by the EPA is $42,000. Our legal counsel is fighting this on our behalf."

In another matter involving the Third and Grape streets intersection, Hozza said a meeting with PennDOT may resolve issues related to the proposed widening of the intersection, since the township incurred costs for the demolition and other items associated with the proposed project.

The intersection serves as a major route for traffic to and from the malls and businesses on MacArthur Road.

The township wants PennDOT to incur the road widening costs.