At the June 3 Macungie Borough Council meeting, council members again discussed the possibilities of having a police chief.

Macungie Mayor Ron Conrad proposed the chief should be promoted from within – specifically promoting Sgt. Travis Kocher to the position and giving him the noncompetitive civil service test. Kocher would receive the same rate of pay as he is now. If his role as chief would not work out, he could be demoted back to his sergeant duties. There would be no additional police hired and no sergeant. Cpl. Michael Mullen would remain as corporal and act as officer in charge in certain situations when Kocher is not available.

There was discussion civil service protection is available.

Further discussion will continue when all council members are present.

In other business, the ongoing discussion over the need for an audit for the Macungie Volunteer Fire Department was discussed. The fire department treasurer, Tom Bailey, gave a brief history of the fire department’s financial books. He proposed some alternative suggestions in place of an audit but they were not suitable to council.

Bailey introduced Phil Vanim who spoke of requirements for an audit. Vanim suggested an Agreed Upon Procedures Agreement in place of an audit. It would be more cost effective and less time consuming. An accountant would perform this and report to the council.

A resident spoke of continuing noise in the Hillcrest Drive area. The mayor will discuss this with the police and get in touch with the resident.

Council Member Roseann Schleicher expressed her gratitude for the Memorial Day events. Council Members Alma Akinjiola, Chris Becker and Schleicher participated in the parade and ceremony.

Borough Manager Chris Boehm said a $32,000 grant was awarded for the pedestrian bridge on Cotton Street. Macungie will pay an additional $20,000.

This project sparked some discussion over whether the bridge is necessary. Borough Solicitor Patrick Armstrong said a bridge is not legally required. What is there now is acceptable as per borough engineers. The public is invited to make comments about the proposed bridge.

The mayor reported there was a graduation ceremony at Lower Macungie Community Center June 5 for certified volunteer firefighters. Macungie has some graduating firefighters.

Council member Barry Bloch reported there are about eight dirt bikes driving around the borough without license plates or taillights. He asked the mayor to investigate.

Crosswalk painting at Race and Main streets will be re-evaluated due to cost. Tracy Smith, supervisor of public works, suggested hiring A-1 Traffic Control as they are faster and provide their own traffic control. Further information is needed and will be discussed with Norfolk Southern and the owner of Automotive Solutions.

The Church Street improvements estimate was discussed. The amount of $657,000 is out of budget range. Several ideas on how to accomplish this task were discussed.

A letter was received by the borough over House Bill 423 which has to do with post-traumatic stress disorder and cancer among firefighters. The borough’s insurance company is suggesting council send a letter to their state representative about this.

The sidewalk issue was discussed. One of the issues was concern for the old trees. This has been an issue elsewhere but trees have not been damaged. The concern by the borough is not to have a connection if a sidewalk or an alternative is not constructed.

The borough solicitor is recommending a letter be issued with a deadline for a proposal. If nothing is received, then council will decide upon the sidewalk construction and it will be in early November.