Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners held what could be its last virtual meeting June 8.

During the meeting, Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. spoke about Whitehall Township - along with the rest of Lehigh County - being moved to the yellow phase in the state’s reopening plan.

The lessening of restrictions in the yellow phase means many struggling small businesses are getting a chance to start making money again, Harakal said, adding he hopes the people of Whitehall can help these places get back on their feet.

“I hope we can lift them out of the problems they’ve been having,” he said of small businesses, addressing the hardships faced during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Being in the yellow phase may also mean the commissioners can soon return to hosting in-person public meetings.

Board President Philip Ginder mentioned his hope is they could return to some form of in-person meetings by July but said, “There’s going to be a lot on our plates.”

Commissioner Charles Fisher also spoke about the move into the yellow phase, saying he is glad businesses will be able to reopen in some capacity but urged people to remain cautious and maintain social distancing.

“Wear masks and be safe,” he said, noting the virus will not just disappear.

Commissioner Michael Dee lauded the work of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, particularly that of Tom and Shari Noctor, whose organization recently fed 450 residents in the Whitehall-Coplay School District.

In other business, commissioners passed a motion to extend the real estate gross period and the garbage fee collection dates to July 31.

The next regular meeting of the board of commissioners will be held July 13.