Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners President Ron Beitler began the Jan. 6 meeting with a remembrance of Brent McNabb, a member of the Lower Macungie Fire Department as well as many other township responsibilities. McNabb served the township in various forms for 43 years. Ron Beitler requested 43 seconds of silence in remembrance of him.

“McNabb would run to a emergency rather than run from it,” Ron Beitler said.

The meeting was held to swear in the new commissioners and elect a new president and vice president. Both Ron Beitler and Richard Ward were nominated and elected unanimously to retain their president and vice president offices.

The conflict solicitor John Ashcroft and conflict engineer Hanover Engineering, were appointed Jan. 4 until successors are named.

Township Manager Bruce Beitel was reappointed to his position. The board said they are very happy with his performance. Renae Flexer was appointed assistant township manager. Ron Beitler said Flexer does an outstanding job. Flexer has been serving the township for 10 years. Jeff Waltemeyer was named as the township treasurer.

Bryan McAdam was appointed as township engineer with a 3-2 vote. Commissioner Brian P. Higgins and Maury G. Robert voted against McAdam.

CKS Engineers was appointed as alternate sewage enforcement official and KeyCodes was appointed commercial building inspector, fire inspector and alternate residential building inspector.

Check signatories were approved. Ron Beitler remains with Commissioners Richard V. Ward and Robert approved as the two additional signatories. Township Manager Bruce Beitel was named as the alternate.

Appointments were made to various boards, committees and commissions. There were four appointed to the audit advisory committee. Paul Mack and Marianne Kitzmiller were appointed with terms to end January 2022. James Rogers and Steven Markowitz were appointed with terms to end January 2023.

Christopher Haller was appointed to the building code board of appeals with his term to end January 2023. Hilary Mack was appointed to the environmental advisory council with her term to expire January 2023. Fred Zahradnik was named the EAC chair.

Daniel Fletes was appointed to the park and recreation board with the term to expire December 2024.

Wesley Barrett, a newer resident to the township with previous experience on Emmaus Borough Council, was appointed to the planning commission with the term expiring January 2022. Robert Rust and Thomas Beil were appointed to the same committee with terms to expire January 2024.

Olen Biehl and Ryan DiFeo were appointed to the public safety commission with terms to expire December 2021. Julie McDonell was appointed to the vacancy board with a term to expire January 2021. Scott Aquila was appointed to the zoning hearing board as a voting member with the term to expire December 2022.

The preliminary/final subdivision plan and lot line adjustment was approved for Mountain View Estates. This is with the understanding of limitations in this development such as the possibility of not being able to construct a shed or build a deck. This is due to lot sizes and restrictions in the area.

JoAnna McAllister was appointed deputy tax collector; the approval was postponed to determine eligibility.

Beitel thanked area residents for the over 550 pajama donations. Thanks were also given for the over 450 new books donated.