Employees of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the State Police Liquor Control Enforcement Division will be setting up offices in a new building in South Whitehall Township.

The 18,522-square-foot, one-story facility will be constructed on a 5-acre parcel on the east side of Hausman Road, a half mile north of Tilghman Street.

Project engineer Curtis Barrick, of Larson Design Group, reported at the South Whitehall commissioners’ July 20 meeting 47 employees will be situated in this regional office.

“They are looking forward to having their own spot,” Barrick said. “Now, they are housed in other places.”

Commissioners approved the plans, including removal of a single family dwelling on the site.

The project, with 79 parking spaces, will be served by public water and sanitary sewer.

Director of Community Development Gerald Harbison noted the stormwater detention area will be under the parking lot.

The liquor control parcel borders the PPL parking lot.

In other business, commissioners reviewed a tow operator authorization agreement to provide towing and storage service for vehicles involved in accidents or those impounded within the township.

Tow operators would be independent contractors who would not be involved in any employer-employee relationship with the township regarding pension, Social Security or any other benefits.

Operators must agree to provide 24-hour services for towing, storage and impoundment of vehicles.

They will be scheduled by the police department on a daily rotating basis.

Operators must be equipped with material to spread on any fuel spills resulting from the accident to which they are called.

They hold responsibility for articles of personal property left in any towed vehicle.

Operators are required to respond within 30 minutes of the request for tow services.

They must agree to provide equipment to handle up to 5 tons of gross vehicle weight.

Operators must have in place a system of criminal background checks for all of their employees involved in the towing.

The maximum charge for towing a vehicle between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. is $175.

The fee increases to $200 on Sundays and holidays and $225 in snow emergencies.

Board member David Bond added a requirement for the towing responders.

“Customer service is very important,” Bond said. “People may be in bad situations, and tow operators must be compassionate.”

Commissioners voted to move forward with the request for proposal on the towing matter.