The Feb. 6 meeting of the Macungie Borough Council began with an appeal from John Hayes, of New Tripoli Bank.

Hayes discussed the bank’s purchase of a set of properties on Buckeye Road and how New Tripoli Bank tries to target areas that will work well with community banking. Hayes said it is important for the bank to be partnered with the municipality.

Council next discussed engineer services for the municipal separate storm sewer system pollution reduction plan. A municipal separate storm sewer system, more commonly known as a MS4, is a system of water transportation including ditches, curbs and underground pipes. The stormwater is then discharged to the surface waters of the state.

Daniel Witczak spoke at the meeting representing Acela Engineering Co. The borough council unanimously approved Acela Engineering Co. for the MS4 pollution reduction project.

Next on the agenda borough council members discussed the condition of the Macungie Fire Department with ex-Fire Chief Tim Schantzenbach, who was at the meeting as a resident. Some of the things the borough council discussed were training records and assignments. Another item discussed was water maps of the borough.

Schantzenbach said fire departments today rely more on mutual aid than in the past, which makes it important for all the departments in the area to have up-to-date water maps.

Council discussed having Shantzenbach and fellow firefighter Bobby Rice look into the fire department. Concerns were training for the firefighters so they are capable of protecting the community.

Council President Chis Becker said he feels the fire department’s ability to serve the borough is much better than its critics believe.

The borough has received a grant of $2,500 from Air Products. In addition the Friends of the Macungie Institute raised $5,604 for lighting and concrete repairs. The Macungie Institute used $2,000 of the money to repair boiler pumps.

The discussion then turned to recycling totes. The 695 totes Macungie Borough ordered as part of a grant will be delivered to the borough Feb. 21. The recycling totes are available for single family homes in the borough and residents need to call the borough if they are interested in getting a tote. The totes will be delivered to residents by the borough.

In other business, council discussed possibly advertising the use of the Macungie Institute to increase revenue. Council said they do not want to micromanage and should leave the responsibility to the Macungie Institute.

There was also a suggestion of an open house event at the Macungie Institute. Organizations such as area companies, Scout Troops and churches would be invited to the Institute where they would have a tour of the facility and learn about rental opportunities.

Council argued although the Macungie Institute is a separate entity, council has the responsibility to take care of it. It was decided unanimously to advertise the Macungie Institute in a pair of local newspapers once a month for six months.

Next on the agenda was a change order for the 2016 Cured in Place Pipe Lining Project, also known as CIPPL. The borough council approved the change order in the amount of $19,992.50. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Macungie Borough Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month. Thenext meeting will be Feb. 21. The meetings are held 7:30 p.m. at Macungie Borough Hall.