At the Nov. 17 Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting, the 2017 budget was introduced and approved for advertising.

Lower Macungie Township Manager Bruce Fosselman said the draft proposal does not include a tax increase for property tax or refuse rates. There is, however, a 15 percent increase in sewer rates which “reflects the first phase of a federally mandated sewer rehabilitation project” impacting many municipalities in Lehigh County.

“For a family of four, that would equate to approximately a $10.40 increase per quarter in their sewer bill,” Fosselman said.

Fosselman said highlights of the proposed budget include: “the expansion of the township library, community center and an additional gym to meet the demand of the residents; a new traffic light at Cedar Crest Boulevard and Minesite Road is proposed; a single axle Mack truck and two pickup trucks with snow plows will be purchased; lights for the playing fields at Quarry will be installed, a second dog park (Camp Olympic) will be completed; a new aerial fire truck will be purchased for the fire department; $2.2 million has been set aside for land purchase and preservation, continuation of the Emerald Ash Borer tree treatment; $250,000 has been allocated for continued sewer rehabilitation work; a generator will be installed at the Hills of Lockridge Community Center; a pedestrian bridge connecting Greymoor Submission with the Four Seasons Development is proposed; a walking trail between Brookside Road and Wild Cherry as part of the Spring Ridge crossing project will be completed; new recycling carts for each resident will be distributed in early spring; over $600,000 of street paving will be completed and the construction of a pocket park at the corner of Hamilton Boulevard/Brookside Road that will include sidewalks, a bus shelter and benches.”

Jersey Mike’s Subs, 7150 Hamilton Blvd., has been approved. The shop will be located in the Trexlertown Shopping Center and will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. This is a franchise and will open in early January, 2017.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has approved a new traffic signal at Hamilton Boulevard and Site Driveway. This signal will be installed for use for the Trexler Business Center.

Two new fire hydrants were installed on the Mack Truck property - Alburtis Road and Orchard Road. These are public hydrants.

The new recycling containers purchased from Rehrig Pacific should be distributed in February 2017. The township received a $250,000 state grant to help pay for these carts. Township residents will be receiving a 65-gallon recycling cart unless the township is notified opting for a 35-gallon cart.

A bid of $66,000 for lighting the Wescosville Park was approved.