Editor’s Note: This article has been updated from the print version.

A new contract with the Salisbury Township Public Works Department has been approved.

In other recent approvals, a new emergency management coordinator and deputy management coordinator have been appointed for Salisbury Township.

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners voted 3-0, with two commissioners absent at the March 9 meeting, to approve the collective bargaining agreement with the Salisbury Township Public Works Employee Association for 2023 through 2026.

Commissioner Alex Karol made the motion, seconded by board of commissioners Vice President Rodney Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

After the March 9 meeting, Salisbury Township Public Works Director James Levernier and Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich detailed the contract in answer to questions by a reporter for The Press.

The public works contract covers 22 employees, but not Levernier and two supervisors.

The employees covered in the four-year contact are to receive a 3.5 percent increase the first year, 3.5 percent increase the second year, 4.0 percent increase the third year and 4.5 percent increase the fourth year.

In the third and fourth years of the contract, the employees will contribute an additional 0.5 percent to the pension fund.

Negotiations on the contract took approximately 10 months.

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners voted 3-0, with two commissioners absent at the March 9 meeting, to approve the appointment of James Wyatt Davis as township emergency management coordinator at $3,600 per year. Karol made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners voted 3-0, with two commissioners absent at the March 9 meeting, to approve the appointment of Thomas Cunningham II, as township deputy emergency management coordinator at $2,400 per year. Conn made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the motion to a vote.

Jeffrey Tapler, who died in September 2022, was township emergency management coordinator. Denny Takacs was acting township emergency management coordinator.

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners voted 3-0, with two commissioners absent at the March 9 meeting, to approve a resolution setting the bond amount of $16,300,000 for the township tax collector for 2022 through 2025. Karol made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

Salisbury Township Chief of Police Don Sabo, in his report to the commissioners, said 42 applicants interviewed for police department openings.

“It was a good process with good candidates,” Sabo said. “It was great to see 42 candidates from all walks of life.”

Eastern Salisbury Fire Chief Ian Dodson announced its “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. Eggs will be filled with wrapped candy and toys and placed in time for Easter morning April 9 in the front yards of residents on the east side of the township. March 24 is the deadline for applying. Interested residents are to email: events@easternsalisbury.org.

March 31 is the deadline for applications to be submitted for Salisbury Township part-time seasonal playground counselors for the 2023 summer playground program. Summer program sessions are held 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday from mid-June to late July.

Students who are 16 years of age and older and can provide their own transportation may apply. Clearances are required. The township is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications are available at www.salisburytownshippa.org or at the Salisbury Township municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

Submit applications to info@salisburytownshippa.org with the subject line: SPC Position, or mail to Attn: SPC Position, Salisbury Township, 2900 S. Pike Ave., Allentown, 18103.

At a public hearing March 9 before the commissioners’ meeting, commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the vacating of Roosevelt Avenue between Harrison Avenue and Logan Street. Conn made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the matter to a vote.

Township meetings include: 7 p.m. March 22, Salisbury Township Planning Commission and 7 p.m. March 23, Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners. Meetings are in the township municipal building.

A vote on the proposed township police department practice range at Franko Farm Park is expected to be on the March 23 commissioners’ meeting agenda.