During the Feb. 18 meeting, the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners presented a Distinguished Service Award to longtime public servant Don S. Klein, Esq., recognizing his decades of dedication to the township.

Commissioners read a formal proclamation into the record honoring Klein’s 35 years of service. His involvement began Oct. 15, 1991, when he joined the township’s public safety commission.

On April 7, 1993, he was appointed to the zoning hearing board, where he served continuously until Jan. 24 – a total of 33 years, including 15 years as chairman.

“Seldom have we seen such commitment and service to South Whitehall Township,” the proclamation stated, calling Klein’s tenure “a wonderful example and inspiration.”

The board expressed its gratitude on behalf of commissioners, township staff and residents, thanking Klein for his leadership and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

The award was formally presented during the board’s meeting Feb. 18.

Klein thanked the commissioners and staff, calling South Whitehall “a terrific township” and praising the work of its elected officials.

He also expressed appreciation to township staff, specifically thanking Thomas R. Petrucci for keeping him informed.

“It’s more than very nice – it’s much appreciated,” Klein said. “I commend all of you on all the great work that you do, and you’re going to continue to do.”

Representatives of the Greater Lehigh Valley (East Penn) Chamber of Commerce introduced themselves to the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, highlighting the chamber’s role in supporting local businesses and partnering with municipalities.

Hayden Rinde, along with colleague Chloe Krempasky, serve as liaisons to the township through the chamber, which is one of 30 councils making up the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce – the largest chamber in Pennsylvania and among the top 10 in the nation.

They emphasized the chamber’s regional approach and its mission to stimulate the economy and improve community quality of life.

Rinde noted the township’s chamber membership provides commissioners and staff access to resources including marketing, referrals, training and public policy advocacy – the same benefits offered to local business members.

Chamber leadership also stays connected to township developments through regular board meeting updates.

The chamber hosts networking events, luncheons, festivals and ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate new businesses and major community projects and offered to partner with the township to promote future initiatives.

Representatives also announced plans for a Western Lehigh municipal update event this spring, which will bring together local municipal and school district leaders for an informational session open to business leaders and residents. Commissioners thanked the chamber for its engagement, events and strong social media presence, expressing appreciation for the partnership and ongoing support of the township.

Resident Jay Short spoke during the public comment period.

He addressed the board on behalf of his small Cetronia neighborhood regarding the condition of Chestnut Drive, a narrow, single-lane roadway that runs from 38th Street and Walnut Street and intersects with Mertz Lane.

Though it functions like an alley and provides rear access to approximately 15 homes, Short said he was informed by township staff it is not recognized as a public road and therefore is not maintained or plowed.

Short described the road as being in severe disrepair, with deep wheel ruts that make travel difficult in warm weather and impassable during snow or ice.

He shared photos taken two weeks after the most recent snowfall, noting the uneven surface creates icy channels that cannot be cleared effectively.

The issue came to a head, he said, when a LANTA shared-ride bus transporting a disabled resident became stuck in the ruts just 20 feet from her home.

The woman remained on the bus for nearly an hour because the vehicle could not pull forward far enough to deploy its ramp safely.

Tow trucks could not intervene while a passenger was aboard, leaving the driver and neighbors to attempt to free the vehicle with salt and manual labor until additional assistance arrived.

Short noted two disabled residents rely on regular bus access along the lane, including a school-aged child who is transported daily.

While the front entrances of the homes are not Americans with Disabilities Act accessible due to sloping terrain, one resident installed an ADA-compliant rear walkway specifically to access transportation via Chestnut Drive.

While acknowledging the township’s position the lane is not public, Short asked whether the township could consider a one-time effort to grade or pave the road to make it passable.

Several neighbors, he said, are willing to handle snow removal themselves if the surface were properly leveled.

“If it’s private, then someone owns it,” Short said, asking how residents might determine ownership and responsibility for maintenance.

“Right now, it feels like everyone is partially responsible – and no one is.”

Board leadership thanked Short for bringing the matter forward and said staff would review the information provided.