Ralph Gambler, vice president of the Alburtis Rod and Gun Club, appeared at the Aug. 10 Alburtis Borough Council meeting to explain work being done on the property.

“We are taking out the brush line to plant grass for mowing,” Gambler said. The work is being done on approximately one-third of an acre. Gambler said people were dumping grass on the property.

Council Vice President Steven Hill said residents contacted the township with concerns about water runoff. Hill said he called the Lower Macungie Township zoning officer who went to the property and reviewed the work being done. The zoning officer said the work being done is fine and no additional runoff will occur.

Gambler said there will be an erosion barrier of straw and small sections are being done at a time. “This work will not direct water on the residents’ property,” Gambler said.

“The problem is there are no storm drains up there,” Gambler said.

“I would like to thank Lower Macungie Township for their quick response,” Hill said.

In other business, council approved Ordinance 534 which establishes regulations for the use of borough right-of-ways, including permitted uses, provisions regarding mailboxes, violations and penalties.

The right-of-way is defined as the surface of and space above and below any real property in the borough in which the borough has a regulatory interest, including but not limited to streets, highways, roads, alleys, sidewalks, tunnels, viaducts and bridges under the control of the borough.

Council also approved Resolution No. 2016-12 authorizing Borough Manager Sharon Trexler to execute all documents and agreements between the borough and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority to assist in obtaining a multimodal transportation fund grant of $191,000 to be used for curb, sidewalks, curb cuts and storm sewer on Walnut Street. The borough match will be $56,000.

Councilwoman Peg McCormack gave her official resignation to the board which was approved with regret at the Aug. 10 meeting. McCormack will be relocating to Maryland and resigns from council effective Aug. 31.

Trexler updated council on the approval of the sign for outside of borough hall, 260 Franklin St. Trexler said a tree will need to be moved. Hill said the purpose of the sign is to improve communication between the borough and the residents.

Police Chief Robert Palmer attended the meeting to ask permission to purchase bullet-proof vests for an active shooter situation. The vests would be placed in the police vehicles.

“In today’s climate, we need to provide as much protection as possible,” Palmer said.

The vests are being offered to police departments at discounted prices at this time and Palmer said he has the money in his budget - $1,028 for three vests.

“It is a small price to pay for protection,” Hill said. “We appreciate the job you do.”

Palmer said the existing vests the officers wear are replaced every five years. The new vests will last longer because they will not be worn as often. They have metal plates in the front and back.

The purchase of the vests was approved.

The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Aug. 24.