The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners were recently appraised by Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. that the township is in the process of defending itself again three civil suits in which it has been named a party, including one case set for trial in June, involving injury to a child.

"A child was injured playing on a gate used to restrict access to the grounds," Hozza said in a report to the board March 9.

The incident took place at the Fullerton playground. The commissioners were informed the case will soon proceed to the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. The case was scheduled to be heard this month but was postponed.

In another civil case, Hozza reported a motorist sustained injuries when the driver of another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign. The accident took place at Sixth Street and Hillside Avenue.

The plaintiff is alleging the township maintained a defective roadway. Depositions of township officials are to be taken later this month.

In the third case, the township, Northampton Borough Municipal Authority and Northampton Borough are being sued for alleged improper maintenance of a sinkhole at 1242 Mickley Road, Fullerton.

The township is dealing with numerous insurance claims, many of them weather related.

According to Hozza, nine claims, with a damage value of $37,940, are being pursued, with three more claims yet to be filed.