At the Nov. 7 Macungie Borough Council meeting, Mayor Ron Conrad issued the oath of office to the borough’s newest full-time police officer Matthew Santiago. Santiago was welcomed to the borough.

In other police news, Officer Kyle Bernhard was given a letter of commendation for a vehicle stop in the unit block of North Walnut Street Oct. 16.

Bernhard noticed the vehicle’s state inspection and registration were expired. During the stop, he detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. He received verbal consent to search the vehicle and found over 40 grams of marijuana prepackaged for delivery, packing materials for marijuana, several hundred dollars in cash and a loaded 9 mm handgun.

The suspect was arrested and charged with several felonies, misdemeanors and summary offenses.

At the Oct. 17 council meeting, Cpl. Michael Mullen was commended for a job well done by Sgt. Travis Kocher. During the recent dog show, the police were requested to check on the welfare of a 78-year-old woman who was missing. Mullen issued an attempt to locate request and was able to determine she was safely in Ohio.

Borough Engineer Stan G. Wojciechowski, Barry Isett & Associates, provided a letter to the borough stating Main Street Streetscape, Phase V is completed. Wojciechowski said Columbia Excavating, LLC is processing all final paperwork and all punch list work has been completed. He recommended a final payment be processed for $27,797.58.

Borough Manager John A. Brown is recommending switching from JetPay to ADP as the outsourced payroll service for the borough. Brown said JetPay requires “an extensive amount of time and work for borough staff to prepare and then executive the 26 biweekly payrolls.” Brown provided a chart with a cost comparison/summary showing a savings and an incentive by ADP of four months of free contracted services.

Council Member Ron Karboski suggested using QuickBooks instead. This discussion was tabled for further investigation.

A resolution was introduced to waive additional charges for real estate taxes where notice of the real estate taxes was not received following the transfer of real estate.

Act 57 requires taxing districts to enact an ordinance or pass a resolution on or before Jan. 7, 2023. A waiver of delinquent real estate taxes for additional charges was approved.

Tax collector Cynthia Hartzell asked if council would add fees for tax collector work to the fee schedule. She said other tax collectors charge $20 or $25 per tax certification and $3 or $5 for a duplicate bill if a new bill needs to be printed.

Macungie Institute continues its activities. For November there is a monthly book club, fabric arts club, craft night, Thanksgiving kids craft night and holiday card making for soldiers.

The Institute will be a Toys for Tots drop off location.

December will include an annual Victorian tea and will be the kids’ zone for Macungie Holiday Dec. 10 which will include Santa and the firetruck, Miss Alice’s cookies and other activities. Boy Scouts will also have their train display and will sell hot dogs. Further information can be found on the website macungieinstitute.com and Facebook page.

There was a budget workshop held 6 p.m. An executive session was also held regarding personnel issues.

The next council meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Macungie Institute.