South Whitehall Names First New Solicitor in 32 Years; Marles Out

South Whitehall Commissioners unanimously appointed a new township solicitor on Wednesday night, replacing long-time solicitor Blake Marles of the Stevens & Lee law firm.

Marles did not attend the meeting.

The commissioners appointed Joseph Zator of the Zator Law Offices in South Whitehall, ending a months-long process that grew out of last year's budget talks and financial challenges that resulted in township officials using capital reserves in 2011.

Zator also was not at the meeting, but attorney Christopher McLean attended. McLean will be solicitor for the township Planning Commission.

“This is in no way a comment on the quality of service that Blake provided to this township,” said commissioner President Brad Osborne.

“We have big shoes to fill,” McLean said. “We understand that.”

The commissioners also voted unanimously to reappoint the Pidcock Co. as township engineer. “Certainly it’s an honor to be of continued service” to the township, said J. Russell Russek Jr., assistant township engineer. A decision has not been on the third-part inspection service, commissioner Thomas Johns said.

South Whitehall of evaluating its professional services months ago as officials set out to try and determine if the township was getting the best value for its money for those professional services. Over three years, the township had spent more than $1 million for legal services. It also had paid the Pidcock Co. more than $660,000 since 2008.

The township initially for each position and narrowed the list of candidates to six for each position, Commissioner Howard Ellsworth said. Township Manager Jon Hammer and commissioners Thomas Johns and Ellsworth interviewed those on the short list.

Following those initial interviews, a shorter list of three candidates for each position was presented to the full board of commissioners for final face-to-face interviews. The township’s current solicitor and current engineer went straight to the final interview round.

Township officials have continually stressed that they have been satisfied with the quality of work provided by the Stevens & Lee law firm in Bethlehem and Marles, and with the Pidcock Co.

Marles served the township with various firms for 32 years and has been with Stevens & Lee since 1997. The Pidcock Company, located on Parkwood Drive in Allentown, has served the township continuously since 1964.

In the end, Ellsworth said, “It wasn’t just a matter of saving some money.”

While interviewing the candidates for solicitor and engineer, Ellsworth said, township officials drew up a list of considerations, including: accessibility to the township, qualifications of key personnel, current workload and the ability to treat South Whitehall as a priority, length of time with current clients, township familiarity, areas of demonstrated expertise, demonstrated ability to retain employees, and involvement in the community.

Zator law offices are a stone's throw from the township's

The list also included consideration of potential conflicts of interest. Joseph Zator has represented the Jaindl Land Co., but there was no mention at the meeting of any potential conflicts, and how it would be handled, should the land company seek development approvals in the township.

The township’s solicitor not only provides legal advice to South Whitehall, but also handles contract negotiations, grievances, civil and property litigation.

The engineering firm reviews plans and development projects.