South Whitehall commissioners responded, during their July 5 meeting, to requests from residents on personal concerns.

Stephen Perun reported he purchased a house at 1128 N. 26th St. in March with the intention of converting the furnace from oil to natural gas.

After confirming the existence of a gas line in the street, Perun applied to the township for a permit to make the connection to his house.

Perun said a township official told him the permit was denied because the street was paved in 2015 and there is a moratorium on any road work until 2020.

He appealed to commissioners, saying the gas line excavation would be only 3 feet by 5 feet.

Public Works Director Jeff Clapper explained if the road disturbance is allowed, Perun would be assessed a fee of $20 per month for the remaining time until the moratorium ends.

Clapper estimates the cost of the patch to repair the street would be around $1,000.

Board President Tori Morgan said the amount of excavation would not be excessive and made a motion to waive the moratorium to allow the gas connection.

The matter received board approval.

In other business, S. Nagehshineh, 3422 Sturbridge Place, reported aggressive pit bulls are instilling fear in his neighborhood.

He said on at least two occasions, the dogs crossed over their invisible fence.

“Pit bulls are trained to take pain,” said Nagehshineh, alleging the fence is not a reliable deterrent.

He said a township official told him if no one gets hurt, they cannot do anything about it.

Nagehshineh researched state dog law and said it offers safeguards to individuals.

Police Chief John Christman offered to help.

“We do work closely with the state dog warden,” Christman said.

In another matter, resident Robin Muth reported she received a water bill for 108,000 gallons, which was extremely out of line with her regular usage of 9,000 gallons.

She said nothing different was going through her system and questioned the accuracy of the township amount.

Staff indicated whatever shows on the bill is what went through the meter, but Muth could not understand how that could be true.

Commissioners suggested South Whitehall utilities group leader Jerry Charvala review Muth’s water records to see what caused the high volume bill.

After that abnormality, her bills have been back to their typical amount.