The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners learned at its Sept. 14 meeting of a successful appeal for property on Range Road to be removed from the active tax rolls.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. reported that the issue has gone before the Lehigh County Board of Assessment Appeals. The township was successful in its argument and was informed that beginning January 2016, the property will be deemed tax exempt.

Hozza said Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers and township Solicitor Charles Fonzone appeared before the county panel to discuss the property, which had been Mulligan’s Family Golf Center.

For the past two years, the land has been utilized by Tri-Boro Soccer, a nonprofit organization.

The township’s argument was that the property is no longer used for a profit venture.

By having the tract placed on the tax-exempt status, Hozza said, “This will save the township about $7,000 in real estate taxes paid to the school (district) and the (Lehigh) county.”

In other township business, contract talks between the Teamsters Union and the township on a new collective bargaining agreement are proceeding without a hitch.

“Discussion was professional and cordial,” Hozza said.

Three additional meetings are scheduled within the next month.

Teamsters represent public works and clerical employees. The present pact expires Dec. 31, 2015. No work stoppage is anticipated.

The township will again participate in the annual municipal auction, set for Nov. 1 at Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club, Northampton. The event usually has police patrol cars no longer in service and other municipal equipment on the auction block.

Commissioners were also informed that the administration has processed paperwork for three new township retirees, Ribello Bertoni, Richard Hope and Susan Trexler. They began receiving benefits Sept. 1.