Lower Macungie is the third largest municipality in the Lehigh Valley with 32,000 residents over 24 square miles. We maintain 132 miles of roads, 14 bridges and 124 miles of sewer lines. Growth is an opportunity but at the same time one of our biggest challenges.

Over the last four years, we’ve focused on balancing economic development with quality of life. That means preserving prime agriculture and environmentally sensitive open space whenever possible. Where we can’t, we focus on guiding higher value projects to appropriate locations where infrastructure already exists.

We have 1,600 acres of park land; in addition, over 800 acres of permanently preserved farmland. Over four years, seven additional farms have been protected including a massive tract at Brookside Road and Sauerkraut Lane – the single biggest preservation of its kind in area history with some of the best soil in the commonwealth.

While preservation is a success story, we’ve done it in a way that hasn’t stymied economic growth. New businesses have brought over 1,500 new jobs, including high value employers such as manufacturing, a financial headquarters and numerous small and independent businesses. Companies make it known they choose here because of outstanding quality of life.

We also continue to work on relationships with existing businesses such as iconic Mack Trucks who undertook a major plant re-configuration recently, Smooth-on who brought 160 jobs by choosing to re-locate to a pre-existing facility and others.

The $27 million 2019 budget continues to address all the infrastructure I mention above, as well as facilities, parks and operations. We also fund the library and fire department. Once again, the budget reflects no tax increases. Also no sewer rate increase.

A few years ago, commissioners adopted an innovative tax break for residential homeowners. Eighty percent of township homeowners have taken advantage of the program to reduce or eliminate their township property tax bills.

Last year, the Lower Macungie Fire Department put into service a new $1.3 million aerial fire truck purchased by the township. Next, for 2019 is a new tanker/pumper. Once operational, it will carry greater amounts of water and foam.

The merger with Alburtis Fire Department has strengthened fire and rescue service. As always we thank volunteers. To demonstrate that, commissioners enacted a $1,000 tax credit for firefighters.

Major investments have been made to facilities including a partnership with the library. We matched library fundraising and state grants to fund an expansion to meet overflowing demand. Other projects include the community center and Camp Olympic park barn which is now the home of the Lower Macungie Historical Society museum.

Along with Alburtis, Emmaus, Macungie and the Milfords, we completed the new joint regional comprehensive plan. We work more closely with our neighbors than ever before. The plan is the culmination of two years of research and engagement. Nearly 1,500 residents participated through surveys, public meetings and stakeholder interviews.

In writing this, I know I’m leaving out a lot. It would simply take too much space to touch on everything.

Lastly, while the board determines direction, I’d be remiss to not say how proud I am of our amazing staff responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as long-term strategic planning. I also want to say thank you to outgoing Commissioner Doug Brown. A former board president, Doug is completing 12 years of dedicated service this year.

Ron Beitler

president

Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners