During the March 2 board of commissioners meeting, the commissioners approved the revised application for the Ciocca Audi dealership.

The land is located at 4725 Hamilton Boulevard, behind Dunkin’ Donuts and Gold Credit Union.

There will be two levels of lighting brightness at the dealership. The lighting level will be reduced after 10 p.m. Car carriers will use Kressler Road to Hamilton Boulevard to unload new automobiles.

There is a concern for an older sycamore tree. The developer will use whatever method to save this tree but if it does not survive, township officials want a guarantee the tree will be replaced if it dies.

The dealership campus should be completed in 2018.

A resident from Sunflower Lane complained about speeding on the road. This concern will be forwarded to the public works committee.

Residents from Mertztown Road expressed their concern about truck traffic on their road. Some trucks are speeding while some trucks are going slow because the drivers appear to be lost. There are children at play in the area. Trucks are being directed away from the area but there are concerns truckers will continue to use Mertztown Road. This concern will be addressed, according to commissioners.

In other meeting business, people are not cleaning up after their pets on the walking trail at Wild Cherry Knoll. The area is being monitored while waiting for signs and bag holders.

Advertising will begin for the restriction of trucks on Creamery Road, west of Spring Creek. Also advertising will be done for brake retarder usage on Trexlertown Road and Spring Creek Road.

Waste Management offered to extend the collection contract for a year and commissioners approved the extension.

Craig Pipher was hired as an assistant planning director. Pipher starts in April.

Bidding is to begin on several projects including the Heritage Plaza Pathway at the corner of Brookside Road and Hamilton Boulevard, in front of Wawa, which is the proposed area for honoring local men and women who served in the military. The estimate from engineering is $7,500 for design.

The Spring Creek Crossing Park and Trail design and permitting is soliciting for competitive grant bidding. This area is considering a baseball field and trail.

Fencing prices are being checked for Meadowyck Condominiums due to complaints from residents about littering and trespassing.

The fields at Quarry Park are looking into field lighting. Engineering costs are estimated at $10,500.

Upgrades are being considered to Church Lane Park. A water line is suggested for the sprinkling of the field to control dust as well as an extension to the fence for protection. Also there is a need to clear out the area around third base to allow for a picnic table.

Bidding awards have been submitted to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions for road maintenance. Their bids were the lowest for crack sealing, bituminous seal coating and ultra thin friction course project. Asphalt Paving Solutions was the lowest for microsurfacing projects. Kuhns and Anthony was awarded the bid for equipment rental.

The proposal for a traffic signal design report at Minesite Road and Cedar Crest Boulevard has been accepted. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will study the area.

The Macungie Road bridge project bids have been rejected due to the high numbers. The high price tag is due to removal of lead based paint because of new requirements. Corrosion is one of the causes of the deterioration of the bridge.

Further discussion opened about the bridges in the township of which there are 14. Commissioner Brian Higgins questioned when does it become more feasible to replace the bridge versus repairing the bridge. Some bridges cannot be replaced due to the nature of construction. An example of this is the Church Road bridge.

Also the Macungie Road bridge, a high priority bridge, is a complicated construction. The re-bidding process will begin with changes in the needs of the repairs.

Commissioner Ronald W. Beitler was unable to remain at the meeting due to the birth of his baby daughter. Beitler and his wife, Amanda, welcomed Cecelia Adeline Beitler, 7 lbs., 4 oz. and 20 inches.