North Whitehall Township offices will be closed Oct. 13 for Columbus Day.

Supervisors have set Trick-or-Treat Night for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

These were the first two items on the board's Oct. 6 agenda.

After approving the minutes and treasurer's report, they moved into the short agenda.

The pension requirement for 2015 for the township's employees was discussed. The state is estimated to contribute around $62,500 toward the fund.

The township is obligated to add any additional money to totally fund the pensions.

Township Manager Jeff Bartlett was next in line to give a report.

He noted the Rails to Trails paving project, along with portion of the parking lot, was completed.

If all goes well, the final cost could be under budget. However, a letter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resouces noted a deficiency in a certain area.

Bartlett reported there were no zoning hearings scheduled for this month.

He noted there were two more appeals filed by the applicant concerning the heliport case.

One is with the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court; the other is with the Eastern District Federal Court.

The new budget for next year will be presented at the next meeting.

A possible increase in the sewer rates and in the street light fund is anticipated.

The township pays the electricity for the lights but PPL owns them.

There could be a 10 percent raise in the rates.

He anticipates there will be several major equipment purchases in the next several years to replace aging equipment.

Ray Deutsch of the Rails to Trails Committee thanked the board for their work on the trail way.

He asked to have money set aside for next year in the budget to pave the rest of the trail.

He also asked for a change in the construction of the trail but was advised by Supervisor Steve Pany this could affect the grant money.

Someone must contact the Department of Environmental Protection to ascertain whether this would occur.

Resident Paul Mantz wanted to know if there was a setback for invisible dog fence.

He was told as far as township ordinances were concerned, there were no setbacks.

He was advised, though, the fence should not be placed within the road right-of-way.

Richard Getz was concerned with the burning ordinance.

He wondered why residents were allowed to burn all night without any supervision.

Bartlett informed him that it was all right to burn overnight but somebody must be attending the fire constantly. Anyone having an unattended fire overnight is in violation of the township ordinance.

Resident Mark Hills wondered if the township could adopt a brake retarder ordinance to control the noise made when trucks travel through the township.

Solicitor Lisa Young told him PennDOT must approve the regulation.