At the start of the July 9 Upper Macungie supervisors meeting, Interim Police Chief Michael Sitoski introduced Patrolman Kyle S. Wehr, who had taken his oath of office May 27 as the newest member of the Upper Macungie Township Police Department.

A 2016 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, Wehr, who attended Lackawanna College Police Academy, receiving his ACT 120 certification in 2018, began his career with the Lykens Borough Police Department in Dauphin County.

He is also a member of the Army’s 362nd Military Police Department.

As per tradition, Sitoski asked Wehr’s family to pin on his officer’s badge “for it is these people who will be the most important in the officer’s life.”

Moving on to other matters, the board approved a resolution regarding a deed execution for Schantz Road between Parkland School District and PennDOT, which Solicitor Andrew Schantz noted was part of the approval for the new Veterans Memorial Elementary School.

He said the district is undertaking improvements to the Schantz Road and Twin Ponds Road/Arrowhead Lane intersection, and pursuant to PennDOT policy the township needs to be the applicant for improvements and must dedicate additional right of way, which the board approved.

The approval also authorized township Manager Bob Ibach to sign the deed of conveyance for the right of way to PennDOT at the appropriate time.

Under motions, Supervisor Kathy Rader introduced the creation of a proclamation honoring Owen M. Bastian Jr.

She said Bastian had been involved with the township for over 60 years in various positions, with the majority of the time as township secretary and supervisor.

“I feel he devoted most of his life to the township, and needs to be recognized,” Rader said, and the board approved the motion.

Additionally, a motion for the advertisement of a public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Aug. 6 for the vacation of portion of Oldt Road was approved, as was one for amendments to the township Recreation Board’s bylaws.

Recreation and Events Coordinator Lynn Matula said the amendments intended to clarify or simplify redundant bylaw sections and said no changes were made to actual board operations.

The board also approved a banner sponsorship program which will allow businesses to donate or purchase advertising space and hang banners at parks.

Matula said the program will be operated and overseen by township staff, who will be in charge of standardizing banners and choosing where donation funds are distributed.

Under staff reports, Finance Director Bruce Koller announced the township will hold a shredding event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24 and a recycling event Oct. 10 at Grange Park.

Matula said some recreation board programs are being restarted including a digital photo scavenger hunt and the third session of the tennis program, with an emphasis on social distancing.

She also noted the Spring Shoot Out Pickle Ball Tournament will run Aug. 8 and 9 at Grange Park.

She also reported two Movies in the Park are scheduled for July 31 at Grange Park and Aug. 14 at Breinigsville Park.

Matula also said the Food Truck Festival will be reworked into Food Truck Fridays July 31 and Aug. 14.

She also said the board is working on organizing a turkey trot and bonfire event for Nov. 31 at Grange Park, as well as a car show.

For the community development report, Director of Community Development Daren Martocci reported that on July 22, there will be a continuance for the AmeriCold special exception hearing on plans to expand the existing facility.

He noted the hearing may be held at Jaindl Elementary School, if more space is needed.

For the police report, Sitoski noted the department received 809 calls for service in June.

He added the calls are approaching pre-COVID levels.

Sitoski also said reports of unemployment identity theft fraud related to the ongoing pandemic have increased.

The most common reported crimes were disturbing the peace crimes with 10, drug/alcohol violations at nine, DUI offenses at eight and thefts at five.

Sitoski also reported members of the department’s Crime and Community Services Division had toured Veterans Memorial Elementary School in mid-June.

In addition, Sgt. Dathan Schlegel had received recognition for his DUI and traffic safety efforts by the Lehigh Valley DUI Highway Safety Task Force.

Interim Bureau of Fire Director Peter Christ reported 17 fire inspections were conducted in June, with 276 for the year so far.

He also reported Cetronia Ambulance Corps had 220 total responses for the month with no mutual aid calls.

Fogelsville Station 8 had 42 emergency responses, Trexlertown Station 25 answered 31; and UMT Station 56 had 37.

Station 8 also had one retired/reassigned member, while personnel at the other stations remained constant.

Lastly, township secretary Kalman Sostarecz Jr., announced that select board meetings would be held Sept. 8 at Trexlertown Station 25, Sept. 22 at Fogelsville Station 8 and Sept. 29 at UMT Station 56, all at 7 p.m.

He also reminded residents to complete the 2020 census, noting canvassing of nonresponsive households will begin shortly and Upper Macungie was one of the lowest self-reporting municipalities in the county.

He added it is “imperative everybody respond to the census.”

The next supervisors’ meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 6.