The 2024 budget was approved at its first reading Nov. 16 at the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting. The budget has no increase in property taxes. The .25 mill library tax will not be increased. Earned income tax remains the same. There is a potential trash bill increase due to the solid waste contract not being extended. The draft budget also includes a sewer increase of approximately $4 per quarter to cover the ongoing state mandated projects and Lehigh County Authority’s future sewer project.

The 2024 budget was expected to be adopted Dec. 7.

There was a conditional use hearing for Gregorie and Susan Hart for their 1740 Spring Creek Road property. This property is located near Lehigh Manor near Lower Macungie Road at the intersection of Spring Creek and Mill Creek roads.

When Lehigh Manor was being developed, there was discussion to tear down the house and barn as the buildings were in great disrepair. There was evidence of an unusual inhabitant, an orangutan, at some point. This animal created damage in the house.

This is when Gregorie Hart stepped in and purchased the property. The house has undergone extensive refurbishment with the barn also being renovated. Hart is requesting approval for developing four apartments within the barn. His request is to make an apartment for his daughter at this time. The other three apartment units are not part of this proposal.

According to the meeting minutes, there is currently an in-law suite in the barn, which was approved in 2005. Additional parking is not required unless more than one apartment is built. It’s recommended to defer the installation of a trail or sidewalk. Approval to add sewer allocation is pending; it is currently connected to public water. It was clarified with the applicant that more than one additional apartment will require the building to be compliant with the commercial building code in place at the time of construction and they will also need to contract a private garbage company. Building permits will be the trigger for sprinklers, parking and garbage collection. The township and applicant agreed to record the conditional use decision for future owners.

Eric Heicklen, 6091 Timberknoll Drive, said the back of his house looks at barn and it is a pleasure to look out now after the Harts took ownership; he supports the applicant and feels it is an asset to the community.

In other business, there will be changes to Astound RCN services for cable subscribers.

Waste Management is not extending the solid waste contract which expires August 2024. The township is preparing bid specifications and it is expected a contract will increase due to fuel charges and other inflation related costs. Township Manager Bruce Beitel said a new contract is already being considered.

The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at the township building, 3400 Brookside Road.