In a surprise move, Macungie Borough Manager Peter Melan resigned effective immediately stating “the job was not what he expected.” The resignation was announced during the virtual borough council meeting May 3.

Melan is a second-term councilperson in Easton and a local government consultant. He obtained a master’s degree in public administration and is currently enrolled in the doctoral program for public administration at West Chester University. He has over 20 years experience in the public and private sector. His first day was April 5.

In other business, Stan Wojciechowski, the engineer from Barry Isett & Associates, Inc., told council members about a potential grant to help with stream restoration. The grant is called the Grower Greener Grant. It can be used for design or construction. The grant specifies the borough would make a 15 percent match.

Council suggested applying and using the money for design. The grant must be applied for before the end of June. Council said this project with design is necessary due to the hurricane that hit the borough. Council approved the grant application.

Phase II of Macungie Commons was approved. This phase calls for lot consolidation of three parcels. Part of this phase includes a proposed car wash. The car wash expects to handle about 400 cars a day. Each car will use 15 gallons of fresh water. Remaining water usage is recycled.

The remaining portion of the parcel has projected uses not yet approved. The conditional use of the consolidated parcel was approved.

A grant of $435,198 was received for Stage 5 of the Streetscape project. Council previously voted to apply for the grant. The request is now to accept the grant and move forward with the project. It was noted grants must be used for the projects for which they were applied. There is no transferring of this money to another project.

Borough Council Vice President Roseann Schleicher expressed thanks to state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th and state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th for their support of borough matters.

The question arose again about the amount of taxpayer money was used on the Cotton Street bridge. Unfortunately, this could not be answered due to the present situation in the borough offices.

A resident also requested an update of the Hickory Street Bridge. A $300,000 grant was requested but rejected. There is no money available to repair the bridge.

The borough is actively seeking candidates for various boards. There are immediate vacancies in the civil service commission with the term expiring March 31, 2027.

The Joint Building Board of Appeals has a vacancy with no term expiration. The candidate should have an engineering or construction background.

A candidate is needed for the planning commission with a term expiring March 31, 2023 and the water authority term vacancy has a term expiring Dec. 31, 2025.

Interested parties should send a letter of interest to the borough, 21 Locust St., Macungie or email info@macungie.pa.us.

There was an executive session regarding personnel matters.