By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

Upper Macungie supervisors presented a Distinguished Service Award to Eagle Scout Alex Kichline at the start of their July 1 meeting.

Chairman James Brunell read the award into the record and offered the board’s heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to Kichline for achieving the Eagle Scout rank, adding he will be honored at an Eagle Court of Honor July 31.

A 2021 graduate of Parkland High School and member of Troop 12, which meets at Asbury United Methodist Church, South Whitehall, Kichline completed 29 Merit Badges and held numerous leadership positions within the Troop including scribe, quartermaster, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader and historian.

His Eagle Scout project was painting the children’s room in a forest theme at Trinity Wesleyan Church.

Brunell noted Kichline was a member of the French Honor Society and International Thespian Society in high school, attained a first-degree black belt in karate, in addition to his dedication to school and the Boy Scouts, and will be attending the University of Scranton as a finance major.

“Therefore, it is with great pride and sincere appreciation the board of supervisors hereby present this Distinguished Service Award to Alexander Paul Kichline upon his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout,” Brunell concluded, as the audience broke into applause.

Under motions, the board voted to schedule a public meeting for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 5 for the conditional use application of a proposed auto repair garage at 351 Route 100.

Supervisors also voted to schedule a public hearing for a proposed Sheetz at 951 Trexlertown Road for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2 for the intermunicipal transfer of a restaurant liquor license.

After audience questions were raised about the possible inclusion of a sit-down restaurant at the Sheetz, as well as the type of liquor license requested, the board also authorized the zoning officer to review the project’s application and be present at the hearing to ensure all information presented at the Sheetz’s conditional use hearing remains accurate.

Solicitor Andrew Schantz said the township was guided by statutes in the state liquor code which specify a public hearing is necessary for an intermunicipal transfer.

He added in order for the municipality to reject the license, the scope of review and evidence must support a finding that the license would be a detriment to the community’s health, welfare, peace and morals.

He said statements of general concern without specific details will not constitute sufficient evidence.

The approval led to discussions about the posting of hearing dates after Schantz said the meeting will be advertised for two consecutive weeks in a “newspaper of general circulation,”

Supervisor Kathy Rader added the Parkland Press meets the necessary requirements.

One resident asked if the board could take an “all of the above” approach to advertise meetings and hearings in the newspaper, on social media and on the township website.

Rader made a motion that “here moving forward,” hearings and agendas will be posted on the township’s website and Facebook page, in addition to its legal requirements, which the board approved.

Resident Sunny Ghai and others noted, however, that many residents do not receive The Parkland Press.

Ghai added that while he understood the newspaper advertising “meets the legal obligations.

“[But] I don’t think it’s fundamentally effective,” Ghai said.

Schantz said there have been numerous efforts to allow municipalities to advertise electronically, but a “strong lobbying effort” has thwarted lawmakers’ efforts to pass such a move.

Later, during public comments, Zoning Hearing Board Vice Chairman Paul McNemar noted several recent newspaper articles have discussed how some local municipalities continue to livestream meetings.

He noted Upper Macungie had also livestreamed over Facebook Live during the COVID-19 pandemic.

McNemar said it was a good idea to broadcast meetings and requested the township consider either using COVID money or include funds in next year’s budget to continue livestreaming efforts.

Brunell put forth a motion to ask staff to look into the legalities, platforms and associated costs for livestreaming, which was approved and greeted by audience applause.

Schantz said there may be certain legal issues with having sworn testimony or objections during virtual broadcasts which must be investigated further.

Rader said she did not want virtual meetings to potentially hinder people from publicly participating.

Supervisor Sean Gill said he would be in favor of livestreaming meetings, and noted how the service would provide increased accessibility to residents who might be unable to attend meetings for any reason.

“We would help out a lot of people,” Gill said.

In other business, Secretary Kal Sostarecz Jr. made note of several new changes to the Sunshine Act courtesy of recently-signed Senate Bill 554.

He said the bill amends the Sunshine Act to require townships to post their meeting agendas on their website at least 24 hours in advance of a meeting, and said another provision mandates that no new additions, deliberations or actions can be taken if they do not appear on the agenda unless the board votes to add them.

He and Brunell noted the changes only affect public meetings and not public hearings, which do not have agendas, but Sostarecz said per the board’s earlier vote, hearings will be posted to the website anyway.