During the Nov. 8 meeting, Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners formally announced the retirement of John Rackus, public works bureau chief, after 34 years of service. Rackus spent his time as a volunteer firefighter, rescue driver and leader of the public works department. He received multiple recognitions from Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. and the board.

President Philip Ginder said, “Our sincerest thank you can never be enough.”

The board also honored veterans in a montage video made by Rackus and the township’s planning and zoning bureau chief, Lee Rackus. The video featured local veterans and aimed to appreciate those who have served in recognition of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Nov. 11.

In other business, a resident approached the board during courtesy of the floor to follow up on the unanswered question - what person or entity would be held accountable for the tax fraud incident that recently took place in the township’s office?

The question sparked major discussion among the board and the public regarding the unclear check-and-balance system that regulates the tax office. Commissioners Vice President Joseph Marx Jr. said the board has less authority within the tax office than the public may think, adding the treasurer is only required to produce monthly reports and make deposits promptly.

The board expressed it shares a similar frustration as the public, but the investigation conducted by multiple auditors and the police department have not found one particular person who can be held responsible for the missing funds.

Commissioner Jeffrey Warren proposed a motion that would require a yearly independent audit of the township treasurer’s office. Presently, an audit is done only when there is a change in the office of treasurer. The board agreed to move this motion to the legal and legislative committee.

The board continued with the voting portion of the evening by reviewing Resolution 3173, which discusses a traffic signal maintenance agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The board unanimously passed the motion with seven votes.

Commissioners unanimously approved the settlement agreement between Mekhi Burkett and Whitehall Township, awarding Burkett $75,000 in exchange for a release of all claims against the township. Board Solicitor Jack Gross advised board members to limit their comments as the litigation is still pending for this matter, leaving no additional comments from the board or Whitehall Police Department.

The final resolution of the evening approved the sewage plan revision for the new land development of Hawk Mountain Brewery. Commissioner Charles Fisher mentioned again how the building is going to be built on a foundation that will raise the structure farther away from the flood plains that linger in this area; he also welcomed the new business to the township.

The motions for the evening filled various vacant spots throughout the township. Commissioner Michael Dee has been appointed to serve as the Ironton Rail Trail liaison, with a term to expire in September 2024. Michael Coleman has been appointed as the Ironton Rail Trail committee alternate, representing Whitehall.

Andrea Shumack has been appointed as the senior citizen liaison, with an expiration of September 2024, as well as the West Catasauqua Playground liaison.

Andre Desent has been appointed as the environmental advisory council and the planning commission as an alternate, with expiring terms of December 2023.

The final motion of the evening was to push the petition to create a health care overlay zoning district to the legal and legislative committee for further discussion. Gross described this referral as a way to review and revise the language of the motion in the form that has been presented to the board. After the motion has gone through legal and legislative, it will move to the planning commission and then back to the board of commissioners for its first hearing. As there is still a long process to go through, it was suggested public comments wait until the motion returns to the board, if at all. The motion passed 6-1.

The evening came to a close with the report of public officials. Many of the commissioners gave additional thanks to John Rackus and shared personal stories of those who have served this nation.

The board will next meet 7 p.m. Dec. 6 for its final workshop meeting of 2021. For viewing instructions, visit whitehalltownship.org and find the link under Whitehall News.