Macungie Borough Council held the regular meeting April 20 and continued discussion on several ongoing business items, as well as standard business approvals on new items.

Council approved the request for Macungie Fire Police services during the antique truck show June 19 and 20 unanimously and without discussion.

Council was presented with the report of the Macungie Ambulance Corps, which responded to 3,312 calls for assistance last year, "not including 25 special operations incidents," according to the report. Operations Manager Christopher Greb made the presentation, which also notes this is the highest record for the ambulance corps, continuing a trend in increase of call volumes over the last few decades.

The ambulance corps also provided services in community education and outreach, training over 950 people in CPR, first-aid and other topics; holding 56 American Heart Association training sessions; and sponsoring 13 continuing education sessions for members and other emergency responders.

About 10 percent of the calls to the ambulance corps originate from Macungie Borough; the vast majority– a staggering 69 percent - come from Lower Macungie Township, followed by Upper Milford Township at four percent, Alburtis Borough at three percent, and Lower Milford Township at two percent. The remaining calls (390 in total) are grouped under mutual aid.

The subject of the traffic signal masts and their decoration came up again briefly, as Council President Chris Becker received word from a resident of the borough expressing a wish to see green poles for the traffic signals. Other residents have approached Roseann Schleicher pointing out the existing galvanized poles will clash with a new decorative scheme, and asking council not to vote for decorative poles. At this point, council will be sticking with its prior decision to review the question of decoration in the bid responses, as it will be included as an option in the bid. The costs may not end up being as high as Becker originally forecast.

The employee handbook has been under review with the police department and Mayor Gary Cordner presented council with an organization chart to review as well. His concern is with the chain of command and how the chart shows to whom the chief of police reports. He wants council to review his suggestion before the handbook is finally approved.

Becker noted the still present vacancies on the Civil Service Commission for both an acting member and an alternate. The position of alternate has been open for several years. Debra Cope, who serves on Civil Service, attested the commission has not yet had a meeting during her tenure. At present, a meeting is impossible without quorum of three members. Any voting residents of the borough are urged to inquire and apply.

There were no reports for Main Street Street- scape Plan or the Southwest Lehigh Comprehensive Plan. Borough Manager Chris Boehm said this is not to say nothing is happening, only that things are happening in the background.

Under new business, council had some discussion regarding the necessity for street sweeping to be done in the borough. It is not something currently in the budget and the borough does not have the necessary equipment.

Becker has been looking into viable options. A street sweeper can be rented for a month at the going rate of $10,000. Becker had hoped Alburtis might be able to split the cost and share the equipment with Macungie, but says it is not an option.

Subcontracting the service out would also have to be passed through the Teamsters, says Boehm.

Council member John Yerman wants to see options available to pick from at the next meeting so council can make a decision at that point without further need for consideration or research outside the meeting.