Macungie Borough Council has finalized amendments to ordinances concerning sidewalk obstructions and firearm use in borough parks and adopted one enabling the police department's participation in a retirement option plan.

Ordinances 2015-05 and 2015-06 were up for public hearing Monday night at council's regular meeting, having been advertised and discussed over the course of several other meetings.

The first, 2015-05, establishes the Deferred Retirement Option Plan "DROP" for the Borough's Uniformed Pension Plan. Interested officers who meet the eligibility requirements of being 55 years of age, and having completed 25 years of service, can opt for a retirement plan that accumulates pension benefits in a designated account while the officer continues to work for a period of time between one and three years.

The DROP was introduced as part of the borough's negotiations with the police department's union. Its provisions are drawn from state statutes and participation in the program is no guarantee of employment. An officer wishing to participate sets a retirement date which must be adhered to.

When asked by a resident of the borough whether the program is expensive, borough solicitor Patrick Armstrong replied that for larger departments with aging personnel close to retirement it can be, but that it's too soon to tell for Macungie in the long term.

The ordinance was adopted without dissent from any present.

Ordinance 2015-06 concerns sidewalks and parks and recreation, the latter specifically adopting language regarding firearms use in borough parks. The matter was already discussed at previous council meetings and is making the borough code compliant with state code. The ordinance's language requires that use of firearms in the borough is compliant with state statutes of firearms use.

Concerning sidewalks, the original amendment to the ordinance was introduced last year, when the appearance of basketball hoops on borough sidewalks was becoming a recurring issue for the zoning officer. It was proposed that the code be updated to allow for enforcement of removing obstructions from the sidewalk.

Council President Chris Becker stated, as he has previously, that he is uncomfortable with the phrase "at all times" concerning sidewalks being kept free and clear of obstructions. Becker said his property will be, and has been, in violation of the code in winter when snow removal presents its perennial problem. But council had already come to a majority decision on the matter and advertised the ordinance for final adoption, and Becker was only restating his position. The ordinance was adopted with dissent from him and David Boyko.

In other business, council discussed laying down a new water line on Race Street with some credits made available from the construction project finishing up there.

Becker reported that $47,543.44 will be credited to the project from the contractor based on linear feet of material installed, and a further $42,525 may be made available as well if the borough chooses not to continue paving further than what was already done on the street to date.

It was discovered during construction that the water line, which the borough water authority has stated is one of the oldest in the borough, should be replaced. The span from Plum to Locust streets is a four-inch line, but it could be updated to a longer six-inch line on the whole street. The water authority is in favor of doing this but won't have the money until next year. Council discussed whether it could be feasible for the borough to handle the expense this year and possibly be reimbursed by the water authority in future.

The question hinges on the dynamics of the contract and whether it can be continued, so legal is going to review it. If it is not possible to renew or continue the contract then the borough would have to bid out the remainder of the project to lay down the new water line and repave the street. Currently Race Street is covered in a rough mill and overlay.

Council accepted, with regret, the resignation of part-time zoning officer Sharon Young, effective Aug. 21. Young reported to council that she needed, and had sought and found, full-time work. After an executive session to discuss personnel council directed borough manager Chris Boehm to advertise for a new zoning officer. Young will be moving on to Lancaster County Planning Commission.