Whitehall Township Environmental Advisory Council President Deb Rosene attended the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners meeting Jan. 8 to give an overview of the council’s 2023 annual report.

The EAC hosted five trash pickup events, collecting more than 1,000 pounds of litter, as well as an electronic recycling drive, collecting more than 43,000 pounds. The township was also certified as the fourth Bird Town in Lehigh County.

Rosene said the council is working toward using social media to advertise its events and advise on sustainable practices. Members are also working to expand their relationship with Whitehall High School in the coming year.

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong also attended the meeting. He is working with Whitehall Police Chief Michael Marks to complete a regional study.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen with the regional study, but I think we need to start looking at regional police forces,” Armstrong said.

He added, in the future, he might conduct a similar study for the fire department.

In other business, the board approved the purchase of 11 vehicles for departments across the township, including one Ford dump truck, two Mack dump trucks, three Ford F350 trucks and five Dodge Durangos.

Newly elected Commissioner Ken Snyder brought up a variety of issues at his first meeting on the dais, the first of those being a department of operations. Snyder pointed out the charter calls for a department of operations, something that is reportedly not present within the township. The department would be in charge of planning, zoning, development, parks and recreation and public works, essentially serving as a counterpart to Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers.

He feels it will solve many issues seen throughout the township and wishes to see it restored, he noted.

Board President Thomas Slonaker felt there must be a reason for the elimination of the position, while Commissioners Jeff Warren and Randy Atiyeh felt the position might be beneficial.

The board will next meet 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in the municipal building, 3219 MacArthur Road.