The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 24 to approve the Salisbury Township 2026 Comprehensive Plan.

Before the vote, commissioners held a public hearing on the comprehensive plan.

The hearing was chaired by attorney Jason A. Ulrich of Gross McGinley LLP, the township solicitor.

During the approximately five-minute hearing, for which there were no objectors, Salisbury Township Director of Community Development Kerry Rabold said of the comprehensive plan, “It outlines the future of Salisbury Township and how we see things going in the next 10 years.”

“This is not zoning. It’s a view of the township,” Ulrich said.

“I’d just like to thank everybody, especially Kerry [Rabold], for their many hours spent on it [the comprehensive plan],” Commissioner Alex Karol said.

Rabold said the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission told township officials, “You have one of the best comprehensive plans.”

Rabold said that, in light of approval of the comprehensive plan, township zoning ordinances and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance will be studied.

The 104-page comprehensive plan is subtitled “Planning for a Safe, Healthy and Connected Future.” During 15 months, the township worked with Strategic Solutions, a Pittsburgh public-sector planning firm, to assess existing policies and develop a vision for the township.

An initial meeting was held June 9, 2025, with representatives of the planning commission, township staff, residents and a commissioner, followed by a community survey, stakeholder interviews and four input meetings: July 14, 2025; Sept. 9, 2025; Jan. 22; and April 15.

The plan’s Community Profile, Land Use and Housing Plan, Environmental Conservation Plan, Community Facilities Plan, Transportation Plan, Community Development and Revitalization Plan, Action Plan and Maps were discussed and used as the foundation for updating the 2012 comprehensive plan.

The planning commission held a public hearing May 27 and recommended approval of the May 13 final draft of the comprehensive plan. The board of commissioners reviewed the final draft June 25.

After the plan’s approval, commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a resolution to submit a request for a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development multimodal grant for improvements along Lehigh Street.

Township Manager Cathy Gorman said, “We applied for this grant in a 20-30 split. However, I was informed that we could apply for the full amount.” The grant request is for $1,957,906 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

According to the resolution, the grant would fund traffic intersection improvements along Lehigh Street, including signalization, thermoplastic pavement markings and ADA-access improvements for intersections, sidewalks and crosswalks.

Karol lauded improvements by The Giant Co. to the South Mall parking lot.

“It was set up to keep 25% of water runoff from going down to Lehigh Street. Giant gets a huge thank-you for reconfiguring the parking lot,” Karol said.

Commissioners also approved contracts, extensions and budget-related items:

• A resolution for disposition of municipal property, including a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 with 71,460 miles and a 2019 Leeboy Paver Model 8510.

Police Chief Don Sabo said the Dodge is a police vehicle, and Public Works Director Jim Levernier said a new paver is budgeted for next year and could be placed into service in May 2027.

• A six-month time extension for the Sheffield Square North land development project at 208 E. Lynnwood St.

Rabold said of those in charge of the proposed 82-unit development, “They are now working with us.”

The development, under new ownership, proposes condominiums and a homeowners association.

The most recent plan date was June 26, and the project was tabled and on hold.

“I’m worried about the same runoff problems,” board President Debra J. Brinton said.

• A time extension until Jan. 1, 2027, for the Cosme lot line adjustment project at 1770 Acker St. and 1801 Broadway.

The most recent plan date was March 2. The project is tabled and on hold, and no development is proposed.

• A contract with Barrasso Excavating Inc. for $415,095 for the Linda Lane and Gail Avenue Water Main Replacement Project.

Alan R. Fornwalt, P.E., of Keystone Consulting Engineers said, “We had an extraordinary response,” noting 18 firms bid on the project. A $411,000 grant is expected to pay for most of the project cost.

• The 2027 minimum municipal obligation of $578,638 for the police pension plan and $894,144 for nonuniformed employee pension plans.

Finance Director Paul Ziegenfus said, “In both plans, they have said that we have not put enough in. The police plan is almost fully funded. The nonuniformed came down about $100,000 from last year.”

• An $81,226.10 payment to Mobile Dredging and Video Pipe Inc. for the Sanitary Sewer CIPP Lining Project.

Ziegenfus said he will introduce the first draft of the 2027 township budget at the Oct. 6 board of commissioners meeting. The police department and information technology department budgets will be reviewed.

At the commissioners workshop following the meeting, Gorman said projects submitted to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Open Call for Projects include Lehigh Street stormwater and road infrastructure improvements; South Pike Avenue traffic improvements; East Emmaus Avenue and Susquehanna water main replacement projects; River Road pump station replacement; the 2937 S. Pike Ave. drainage project; South Pike public water access; Green Acres Drive culvert replacement; a potential community center; and parks and athletic fields.

The October township meeting schedule includes Oct. 6, board of commissioners; Oct. 14, zoning hearing board; Oct. 21, environmental advisory council; and Oct. 28, planning commission.