During the virtual Macungie Borough Council meeting Oct. 19, Sgt. Travis Kocher told council members about recent traffic studies. Speed boards have been placed on borough roads where speed has been an issue. Church Street and South Chestnut Street are two areas studied.

Kocher also reported on an incident where a pedestrian was almost hit while crossing the street within a crosswalk. A nearby Macungie police officer witnessed the violation and conducted a vehicle stop. When the officer approached the suspect vehicle, the vehicle fled the scene. The vehicle traveled 1 1/2 blocks before crashing into a building on the Allen Organ campus, 150 Locust St. After the crash, four occupants fled the scene on foot.

Macungie officers apprehended three of the four occupants within minutes. Assisting officers from Alburtis, Emmaus and the Pennsylvania State Police, along with Macungie officers, located the fourth suspect in a dumpster several minutes later.

Accolade letters were issued to assisting Emmaus officers Sgt. Vincent Murante with his K-9 Ronny and Officer Carlos Marrero and to Pennsylvania State Police Troopers Clemons and Biddle for their assistance during the event.

NovaCare Rehabilitation held a luncheon for first responders recently. Members of the fire department and police department attended along with the mayor.

Joining the police consortium moved a step closer as council signed an ordinance to begin the membership to this group.

Council decided to begin the process of repairing the damage to the Hickory Street Bridge. Presently council will work on locating a contractor.

The Lumber Street lights are ready for advertising. Council approved this action.

Macungie Holiday is planned for Dec. 12. There will be a parade and food trucks in the park. There will be no activities in buildings due to COVID-19. The borough gives money to the committee to assist with expenses.

An ongoing sidewalk issue has not been completed. There was contact with the contractor for Embassy Bank; however, the contractor felt the project had difficult technical issues such as the slope of the property and the tree. A new deadline will be issued. If it is not completed by the new date, the borough will step in and do the work at the expense of the owner.

Payments were made to the pensions of the police and nonuniform borough employees – $52,000 was paid for the police and $21,000 to the nonuniform employees.

An executive session was held prior to the meeting to discuss personnel issues.