At the May 18 Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Ben Galiardo submitted his resignation effective May 18. He and his wife are relocating to the South New Jersey area. With regret, the commissioners accepted his resignation.

Fire Chief David Nosal spoke of Galiardo’s 37 years of service with the fire department. “You’re a part of the reason the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department has done so well.”

Commissioner Brian Higgins wrote a letter to the commissioners as he was not able to be at the meeting. Higgins suggested Richard V. Ward, who won the election, be appointed as Galiardo’s replacement. This will be decided at the June 1 meeting.

A plan approval was sought for 7388 and 7386 Alburtis Road. The plan is to combine the two lots and form a place of worship, a residence, classrooms and a parking lot,

A plan approval was also sought for 5354 Hamilton Blvd. A single family residence is planned to be torn down for the construction of a one-story office building.

An ordinance was approved for the removal of warehouses as a permitted use in the office, research, light industrial center and industrial zones. This is due to the proximity of Eyer Middle School and two elementary schools. It is also proposed to assist in eliminating truck traffic.

Ira Lehrich opposed this ordinance. He owns self-storage units near the area affected which will remain. He said there are other ways to curtail the truck traffic.

A resident from Hills of Lockridge expressed his satisfaction over the new culvert on Schoeneck Road. The culvert connects the residential area to the warehouse area. However, he is concerned there were no walking areas created.

The commissioners said they will look into this. This development had financial issues from bankruptcy and different owners. It will be investigated as to whether there is any money left in the escrow account.

Mike Siegel suggested more signage is needed at the Church Lane bridge area so no trucks use this bridge. The commissioners said the signage is sufficient but will check into the placement of the signs to make sure both the Trexlertown Road side and the Lower Macungie Road side have these signs. If the signs are not at the beginning of the road, it would be difficult to have a truck turn around once on the road.

A resident from South Krocks Road complained about speeding and trucks on that road. The signage will be checked out and the township will keep in touch with the resident.

Planning Director Sara Pandl said overnight deliveries to Whole Foods at Hamilton Crossings have been stopped. No deliveries can be made between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Township Engineer Alan Fornwalt compiled a list of truck restrictions and brake retarder usage. Truck restrictions are on Creamery Road East from Route 100 and Creamery Road West from Spring Creek Road. Also included are Willow Lane from Route 100, Mertztown Road from Spring Creek Road, Spring Creek Road from Lower Macungie Road, Trexlertown Road from Spring Creek Road and Spring Creek Road from the south side of Congdon Road. Also included are Schoeneck Road from Route 100 and Gehman Road and Orchard Road and Schoeneck Road at Scenic View Drive. Turning restrictions are at Route 100 and Schoeneck Road and Quarry Road.

Brake retarder restrictions are at Route 100 from the Lower Macungie Township boundary, Trexlertown Road from Spring Creek Road and Spring Creek Road from Trexlertown Road. The list will be updated and can be found on the lowermac.com website.

The Lower Macungie Township Community Day was well attended. It is estimated between 24,000 and 26,000 attended. Township employees and summer help assisted with the event. Township Manager Bruce Fosselman expressed his gratitude to all who helped, especially Denise Foulke.

Lower Macungie Township will again seek to lower the speed limit on Hamilton Boulevard.

The Lower Macungie swimming pool opens Memorial Day weekend.