Grants are being sought for safety improvements at two intersections in Salisbury Township.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners, in separate 5-0 unanimous votes at the Sept. 25 township meeting, approved resolutions authorizing Salisbury Township Manager Cathy Gorman and Assistant Township Manager/Director, Community Development Sandy Nicolo to execute Northampton-Lehigh County Local Share Assessment Grant Documents and Agreement for:

- The Installation of a pedestrian crosswalk at East Emmaus Avenue and South Dauphin Street. A Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Northampton-Lehigh County Local Share Account grant of $157,956 is sought from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for school pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of South Dauphin Street and East Emmaus Avenue (State Road 2002), and

- The installation of a flood warning system on Lehigh Street. A DCED Northampton-Lehigh County Local Share Account grant of $147,887 is sought from the CFA for a flood warning system installation at the intersection of Lehigh and 33rd streets.

Salisbury Township Commissioner Vice President Rodney Conn made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Alex Karol, to bring the Dauphin Street crosswalk resolution to a vote.

Salisbury Township Commissioner Alok Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Heather Lipkin, to bring the Lehigh Street flood warning system resolution to a vote.

Before the vote, Salisbury Township Police Chief Don Sabo detailed the South Dauphin Street crosswalk and Lehigh and 33rd streets flood warning system.

The sidewalk at the south side of South Dauphin Street at East Emmaus Avenue would be extended east. The sidewalk on the north side of South Dauphin at East Emmaus Avenue would be extended east. The crosswalk would be placed in a north-south direction perpendicular to the sidewalks extensions. Motion-sensitive pedestrian crossing signs with flashing lights would be placed at the crosswalk.

The South Dauphin Street and East Emmaus Avenue intersection provides access to Salisbury High School. “We have 26 walkers that go to the high school,” Sabo told commissioners.

Sabo previously met with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials at the South Dauphin Street and East Emmaus Avenue intersection to assess pedestrian safety and traffic control needs at the intersection. “When we did our study, we saw a student who ran out of his shoes [to avoid traffic],” Sabo said.

In the vicinity of the Lehigh Street and 33rd Street intersection, which is at the entrance to the South Mall, 3300 Lehigh St., there would be eight signs placed, with two signs facing in each direction.

The warning signs lights would be bobbin-activated. “The levels are going to be set up to where it [flooding water] would damage cars,” Sabo said.

The Salisbury Township Police Department posted photos and a video Aug. 13 on social media of Lehigh Street and 33rd Street flooding. Three vehicles were believed to be stranded in the floodwaters.

According to the DCED website, as required under Act 71 (the Gaming Act), the CFA has developed program guidelines for LSA funds in Northampton and Lehigh counties.

The state DCED website states LSA funds may be used for economic development, community development and public-interest projects. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, economic development agencies and redevelopment authorities in Northampton and Lehigh counties.

Grant amounts vary based on the specific project requirements. Applicants may submit more than one application provided it is for a separate project. Matching funds are not required.

The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, known as Act 71 of 2004, is the law that authorized and regulates casino gambling in the state. A portion of the revenue is directed to local governments to mitigate the impact of gaming facilities.

Approval or denial of the Salisbury Township LSA grants requests might not be decided until spring 2026.

In other business at the Sept. 25 meeting, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve:

- Resolution authorizing acceptance of a right of way deed of dedication for the minor subdivision at 1226 Vermont Ave. Conn made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the resolution to a vote.

- Resolution approving township official sewage facilities planning module for 900 E. Paoli St. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Patnaik, to bring the resolution to a vote.

- Resolution approving township official sewage facilities planning module for 760 E. Paoli St. Karol made the motion, seconded by Patnaik, to bring the resolution to a vote.

- Motion to request the eligibility list from the Civil Service Commission. Conn made the motion, seconded by Lipkin, to bring the motion to a vote.

- Motions authorizing the hiring of two entry-level police officers from the eligibility list. Karol made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the motions to a vote. An offer will be made to the officers. If accepted, the officers’ identities will be disclosed.

Before the vote, a 10-minute executive session was held.

- Motion to approve the 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the police pension plan in the amount of $587,481. Patnaik made the motion, seconded by Karol, to bring the motion to a vote.

- Motion to approve the 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the nonuniform plans in the amount of $998,914. Lipkin made the motion, seconded by Conn, to bring the motion to a vote.

A workshop was not held after the meeting.

As part of the Salisbury Township Comprehensive Plan that is being formulated, a “Salisbury Township Community Survey” is being conducted. The survey deadline is Oct. 31. Residents may obtain a copy of the survey at the municipal building and on the township website: https://salisburylehighpa.gov/.

The Salisbury Township website lists the following October meetings in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave: 7 p.m. Oct. 1, 8, zoning hearing board; 7 p.m. Oct. 9, board of commissioners; 7 p.m. Oct. 15, environmental advisory council; 7 p.m. Oct. 22, planning commission and 7 p.m. Oct. 23, board of commissioners.