The Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted on several ordinances and resolutions at its July 14 meeting, one of which was an ordinance to install video surveillance cameras at many of the township parks. The vote passed unanimously 5-0.

Mayor Joseph R. Marx Jr. said the cameras will be installed at several township parks, including the Jefferson, Cementon, Schadt Avenue and Hokendauqua parks and at Parkview Pool. Commissioner Jeffrey Warren also asked the board to place a camera at the Mickley-Prydun Farm.

The township accepted a bid from Keystone Fire and Security for the video surveillance equipment, which will cost $36,515,000.

The cameras will be specific to the buildings, with a Wi-Fi system. The township accepted a bid for the internet connection from PenTele Data, with a five-year monthly payment plan of $1,319,60.

The director of recreation and the police department will have access to the security camera footage, particularly in the event of a crime.

“From a reactive perspective, you have cameras there, which opens up to more evidence should something happen,” Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers said.

Marx noted this ordinance has been considered after two incidents of vandalism at Cementon Park, where windows were broken and smashed this past winter.

“And when people know it’s there, they’re thinking twice about doing something nefarious,” Warren said.

The board also voted 5-0 on a resolution for the township to apply for a Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant to improve park signs at Jefferson Park. The requested grant is for $20,230 and will be used for the Jefferson Street Recreation Study.

Concerns were raised among the board about why the developers did not include site visits for this study, especially to develop new park signs.

The resolution the board approved was just to authorize the township to apply for the grant.

Recreation Director Brandon Hibbler said a recreation center would also be a part of this project study.

Additionally, the board voted on a resolution to split the Fellowship Community development into two phases. Fellowship is planning 72 new apartments total, with three buildings comprised of 24 units, at 3600 Mauch Chunk Road in Whitehall Township.

Marx noted the developers have asked to split the plan into two phases so they could see how the development of the site plays out during the first phase, if the developer has to spend more funds on engineering and whether it’s successful. If successful, the developers will go through with the development of phase 2.

Meyers reported phase 1 is currently being completed.

The board heard from the developers heading this project last month, but Solicitor Jack Gross said they needed to obtain a waiver from the township planning commission due to a change made by the developer that wouldn’t require them to build stormwater facilities for all three apartment buildings.