Salisbury Considers Joining Arena Tax Lawsuit

The Salisbury Township board of commissioners tabled a vote last week to join a lawsuit that challenges whether Allentown can use their residents' earned income tax to help pay for Allentown's $158 million hockey arena and other improvements.

The board said it wanted more information on the loss of from township residents who work in the 130-acre neighborhood improvement zone that surrounds the proposed arena.

At the April 12 board meeting, proposed Salisbury join the lawsuit filed by Hanover and Bethlehem townships that challenges a 2009 law.

“There’s so much information we still don’t know,” said Commissioner President James Brown.

“We weren’t told beforehand to prepare for this,” Ackerman said. “Why was it so secretive?”

Township Manager Randy Soriano said joining the lawsuit may not be beneficial.

“Whether one sues or 20 [municipalities] join, it’s still going to be the same issue,” Soriano said. “Joining the suit doesn’t add anything other than add our name on the suit.”

Soriano said the township is on budget, according to a report by WFMZ. "We can't say that we've lost money," he said.

“If we were in the suit, wouldn’t we have a say in the decision?” Ackerman
asked.

Several residents addressed the board about their concerns.

“It is important that we get out from this community, that we are all together on this and that we are all upset about what has occurred,” said Salisbury resident Jane Baker, a former state representative.

“People in the community have a right to know if [legislators] voted in secret,” Baker said. “I didn’t know any elected official who knew of the vote two years ago. Why weren’t you told?”

Baker also strongly urged the commissioners to contact the mayor of Allentown and state representatives before the next meeting.

“Municipalities bonding together and sticking with each other is the way to go,” said Salisbury resident Jan Keim.