The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners met Jan. 21.

Commissioner Jacob Roth introduced Police Chief Frank Lombardo for a badge pinning ceremony recognizing two officers.

Haley Marouchoc, a South Whitehall Township native and Parkland High School graduate, earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Kutztown University in 2017, graduating summa cum laude. She joined the South Whitehall Police Department the same year and has since served in several key roles, including Project Lifesaver coordinator, recruitment committee member and contributor to department website upgrades and the development of new uniforms.

Marouchoc has completed specialized Project Lifesaver training and has served as a field training officer.

Her service has been recognized with a Unit Citation at the 2022 Commendation Ceremony and both a Unit Citation and the Chief’s Award at the most recent ceremony in November 2025.

Jared Winkelbauer grew up in the Northampton area and graduated from Parkland High School in 2005.

He earned an associate degree in mechanical engineering technologies from Penn State University and joined the South Whitehall Township Police Department in 2012 after attending the Allentown Police Academy.

In 2014, he was assigned to the Lehigh County Emergency Response Team, where he currently serves as a team leader.

Winkelbauer was promoted to sergeant in 2019 and served as a patrol supervisor.

Following his recent promotion, he will serve as the township’s newly created professional standards lieutenant, overseeing internal affairs accreditation and part of the patrol division.

In other business, township commissioners voted unanimously to table consideration of a predevelopment tree clearing agreement with CDE Acquisitions LLC for property owned by Jeras Corporation at 2493 N. Cedar Crest Blvd., proposed for a data center.

The agreement would have allowed limited tree clearing on approximately 78.7 acres while maintaining the township’s required 51% tree canopy.

Township Manager Tom Petrucci recommended delaying action after receiving correspondence from the Lehigh County Conservation District citing unresolved concerns.

Petrucci said questions remain regarding outside agency reviews, compliance with township forestry requirements and potential public safety issues.

Representatives for the applicant and landowner said the proposal complies with township ordinances and state forestry regulations.

They noted early tree clearing would require approximately $900,000 in financial security to guarantee reforestation of about 21 acres, or roughly 15,000 trees.

The work would be performed manually using chainsaws, without heavy equipment or removal of timber from the site.

Commissioners acknowledged the applicant’s position but agreed additional documentation and coordination with the Lehigh County Conservation District are needed.

By a 5-0 vote, the board tabled the item pending further staff review.