By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

Police Chief Michael Sitoski introduced Gregory McCabe as the newest member of the Upper Macungie Police Department during the board of supervisors’ Oct. 5 meeting.

McCabe is a 2013 graduate of Father Judge High School in Philadelphia.

He earned his Associate degree in liberal arts from the Community College of Philadelphia in 2016, and then completed his ACT 120 certifications through the Philadelphia Police Academy in 2019.

McCabe worked full time with the Philadelphia Police Department before being hired with Upper Macungie’s department.

He took his oath in front of Magisterial District Judge Michael Faulkner on Sept. 11.

Sitoski invited McCabe’s family to come to the front of the meeting room and McCabe’s father, Joseph, pinned the badge onto his son’s uniform.

,“It’s always a tradition for family members to pin the badge on an officer’s uniform,” Sitoski said. “It is these members who will be the tremendous support system.

“Officer Greg’s father knows that Greg comes from a long line of Philadelphia police bloodline.

“His father is also currently a police officer of the Philadelphia Police Department.

“Congratulations on your service.”

In other matters, there was a motion to appoint Ray Boronyak to the township planning commission.

Chairman Sunny Ghai expressed concern about the lack of supervisor involvement with the appointment process and said it was a disservice to public involvement.

Ghai questioned the constitutionality of the interview process.

He said it is important for supervisors to have a say in who is appointed to these important positions and it is also important to have a transparent and fair process.

One way to address Ghai’s concerns would be to amend the township’s ordinance to allow supervisors to participate in the interview process.

Another option would be to create a committee of supervisors and residents to interview candidates and make recommendations to the full board.

The township’s current process for appointing members to the planning commission and zoning hearing board is neither illegal nor unconstitutional.

Supervisors discussed whether to waive the softball fee for the Kyle Miller Memorial Softball Tournament.

Township Recreation Manager Mike Kukitz said the tournament has taken place in the township for 15 or 20 years and all of the proceeds go toward families in need, specifically children fighting cancer and other serious diseases.

Supervisor James Brunell expressed concern about setting a precedent for waiving fees and offered to personally pay the $200 fee.

The motion to waive the fee did not carry.