By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

The community and Upper Macungie supervisors were introduced to two police officers and a new K-9 officer.

First, there was a badge-pinning ceremony for Police Officer David Fritsche, with his wife, Kaylee, doing the honors.

A 2014 Parkland graduate, he previously was an officer with Bethlehem Police Department.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from East Stroudsburg University in 2017 and completed his certification through the Allentown Police Academy in 2019.

Fritsche also volunteers with Upper Macungie Fire Station 56.

Second, Julia Poapst was pinned as a community resource officer.

Poapst will be assisting Police Officer William Rohrbach with community events, training programs, the community hub program, and outreach.

She started with the department assisting with the 2023 National Night Out.

“I want to say I’m very excited for this opportunity,” Poapst said. “I’m thankful for all the township and the township supervisors who think community service is beneficial and I’m very excited to take this role.

“If anybody needs anything, feel free to reach out for station tours, anything like that I will be of assistance.

“I am just very excited to get started on this journey.”

The third presentation was the introduction of the newest member of the department: K-9 Nyala and partner Sgt. Matthew Gardner.

Gardner’s previous K-9 partner, Bico, retired last year.

In other matters, Solicitor Andrew Schantz introduced a draft of an updated noise ordinance.

He said the noise ordinance is currently within the zoning ordinance.

The initial step is to bring the noise ordinance outside of zoning.

He said even in draft form it is enforceable.

“It’s reasonable. It’s legal, and it benefits the public health, safety and welfare of the residents and property owners in the township,” he said.

A motion was made and passed for Schantz to take note of the draft presented and include meeting minutes from past meetings and highlight some of the language used and what was discussed.

He will resubmit the draft so it can be made public.