Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners held a virtual meeting April 13 using a video conferencing service called WebEx.

The commissioners, along with Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. and other township staff, called in through web cameras on their computers so they could vote on a number of motions and resolutions.

The meeting was publicized on the township’s website with a URL that could be followed to the WebEx site, as well as a means to email in any public comment. It did not appear, however, that the meeting had any public audience.

Township officials even had trouble accessing the virtual meeting space, prompting Commissioner Randy Atiyeh to advocate for better advertising and public accessibility for future virtual meetings.

Among the motions passed was one authorizing Harakal to extend the real estate tax discount period and the collection of garbage fees. No new deadlines were set for either during the meeting.

In matters unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioners passed two resolutions approving the retirement and pension payments of police Lieutenant Bruce Somers and Officer Timothy Dugan.

At the previous commissioners meeting March 9, residents from Hokendauqua gave comments urging commissioners not to pass a resolution that would conditionally approve the subdivision of a lot in their neighborhood, located at 3434 Quarry St. Adding new homes and sidewalks, the residents said, would shrink and overcrowd the already-narrow street.

At the March 9 meeting, the resolution passed. However, the agenda for the April 13 meeting included an ordinance deferring the required installation of sidewalks at the newly subdivided property.

Before the bill could be taken to a vote, though, the item was pulled from the agenda by the developer. No further comment was made on the matter.

Commissioner Michael Dee congratulated Shari Noctor, president of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative and a Whitehall real estate agent, for helping more than 600 local residents get food last week amid the pandemic.

Dee went on to say anyone wishing to donate food to help the WCHI should drop it off at Noctor’s RE/MAX office, Mickley Road and Schadt Avenue.

Other commissioners took a moment in their final remarks to remember Gerald Fabian, a former Whitehall commissioner who died March 30. Fabian served on the board for 20 years, including some time as board secretary.

Board President Philip Ginder gave his condolences to Fabian’s family, remarking that while the two of them did not always agree, Fabian “always had the good of the community in mind.”

In his final report, Harakal expressed March had been a trying month for Whitehall Township and described the past several weeks as “walking in the dark” trying to figure out how to get through.

Optimistically, he noted he has seen many people walking outside and exercising responsible social distancing around the neighborhoods and on the Ironton Rail Trail. This can hopefully be taken as a sign of the community strengthening as people find ways to enjoy themselves during the quarantine, it was mentioned.