The Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners held its annual reorganization Jan. 3. A new commissioner was installed and two returning commissioners were reinstalled. A new president was elected with a returning vice president.

Brian Shoemaker took his oath of office as the new commissioner taking the place of Ron Beitler. Shoemaker took his oath before Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Faulkner.

Brian Higgins and Richard Ward were reinstalled by Faulkner as elected by the residents. Higgins was elected by the board to be president and Ward returns as vice president.

The conflict solicitor, John Ashcroft and conflict engineer. Hanover Engineering, were appointed Jan. 4, 2016 until a successor is appointed.

Bruce Beitel was reappointed as township manager with Renea Flexer appointed assistant township manager/secretary. Jeff Waltemyer was reappointed township treasurer.

Attorney David Brooman from High Swartz will be retained as township solicitor and Bryan McAdam from CKS Engineers will be retained as township engineer.

Check signatories will be as follows: Higgins, Ward and Maury Robert with Beitel as the alternate.

CKS Engineers will be the alternate sewage enforcement official and KeyCodes will be the commercial building inspector, fire inspector and residential building inspector.

Resolution 2022-01 is the preliminary/final plan approval for the Mertztown Road Residential Land Development. Higgins said he is not fond of private roads as residents are part of the township and pay taxes for such.

Further appointments were made to various boards. Jeffrey Machik was appointed to the building code board of appeals with a term to expire Jan. 1, 2025.

Christopher Sacchi and Becky Short were appointed to the environmental advisory council with terms to expire Jan. 1, 2023. Ellen Iobst was appointed to fill a vacancy with a term to expire Jan. 1, 2023. Sacchi was appointed as the EAC chair.

Two members were appointed to the planning commission with terms to expire Jan. 1, 2026: Wesley Barrett and Rudy Fischl.

Julie McDonell was appointed to the vacancy board with the term to expire the first Monday in January 2023.

Resolution 2022-02 is for appointing one voting member to the zoning hearing board with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2024: Charles Ervin.

There was an executive session 2 p.m. Dec. 23, 2021 over land acquisition.