Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong paid a visit to the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners during its March 9 meeting to stress the importance of participation in the 2020 census.

Armstrong explained he visits each of the 25 municipalities in Lehigh County every year. This year, he’s using his visit to talk about the census.

In the 2010 census, Pennsylvania was undercounted by 20 percent, and Lehigh County was under by 30 percent. Data gathered through the census is a crucial part of the federal government’s distribution of funds. Armstrong emphasized this point, saying the county would be “losing money if we don’t get that count.”

The census can be filled out online or over the phone, which Armstrong said is a good way to avoid any potential scammers. Choosing either of those options also notifies the Census Bureau that no one needs to come knocking on your door.

Clancy Kistler, of the Whitehall Township Ethics Board, presented the commissioners with a year-end synopsis of its activities in 2019. Kistler explained the group meets quarterly and keeps detailed records of every meeting. He added the board did not receive any comments, questions or complaints in 2019.

The Whitehall Township website states the ethics board’s primary duty is “to consider questions of ethical conduct and conflict of interest and issue advisory opinions on the same.”

Joe Wolfinger, of the Environmental Advisory Council, asked the board to consider the important role trees play in removing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It was reported the Lehigh Valley is among the top four regions with the most air pollution in the state.

Most of that pollution has been attributed to truck traffic and warehouse construction in the area. Wolfinger acknowledged it is impossible to get rid of all the trucks and warehouses in the Lehigh Valley but said planting more trees would go a long way to offset the harm being done.

He suggested the board consider adding a stipulation for buffer zones of trees around new developments.

The board of commissioners voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance authorizing the purchase of three new police vehicles: two 2020 Ford Explorers and one 2020 Ford F-150.

The board approved a request to waive the well isolation distance at 3350 Seiples Station Road. Residents at that address requested the waiver because the minimum distance between the on-site well and septic system, as required by the Department of Environmental Protection, was greater than the size of their property.

The board heard from several concerned residents before voting in favor of a resolution that conditionally approves the subdivision at 3434 N. Front St. to be developed into four new town houses.

The residents reported parking is already difficult, so adding more houses will exacerbate the issue. Frank Clark, of Keystone Consulting Engineers, explained the subdivision had already been cleared by the zoning commission. Commissioners Thomas Slonaker and Charles G. Fisher cast the only nay votes, so the resolution passed.

In their closing remarks, Commissioners Michael Dee and Slonaker offered their condolences to the family of the victim of a fatal car accident March 2 at MacArthur and Mechanicsville roads. The police department offered no comment as the incident remains under investigation.

Slonaker stressed the township is not responsible for the layout of that intersection. As a state road, Route 145 is Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s responsibility. He added the township has been waiting for PennDOT to fix the Mechanicsville Road intersection for years.