The Macungie Borough Council meeting opened with Vicky Kocher formally introducing herself to the board as the new director for the Macungie Institute. She was excited to share that in her short time leading, she has managed to secure new business for the Institute and invites those interested to contact the Institute to reserve space needed for their gatherings.

Engineer Stan Wojiechewski spoke about the Crosswalk ARLE grant lighting bid review and award. He asked council to accept the bid withdrawal request from MB Harbor LLC due to a clerical error in bid submission, which they did. Council also approved to award the project to Herr Signal & Lighting Co. for $131,630. A grant was secured for $223,858 which leaves approximately $92,228.

Wojiechewski appealed to council to ask the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to include South Chestnut Street and South Sycamore Street as well as Cotton Street by the bridge as two additional projects in which to use the rest of the grant money. The projects would include flashing lights for pedestrians.

Council approved that if PennDOT agrees, new bids will be released for the two additional locations for lighting the crosswalks.

Next, Vice President Greg Hutchison questioned the Hickory Street Bridge project. He was concerned about PennDOT “dictating” to council about the design. Wojiechewski noted this is money from PennDOT being used for this project and PennDOT wants the design of the bridge to be wider. The bridge work is set for 2025.

Public Works Supervisor Tracy Smith addressed council about securing funds to construct an addition to the borough garage to house the Sterling Vector water truck. Smith prepared a plan shared with the council members with an estimated cost of $54,900.

Smith was concerned about the impact of the cold weather on the truck. He noted all the work for the expansion would be done by the public works department except the concrete. This appeal led to much discussion from the council members.

President Ron Karboski appreciated the plans provided by Smith but is looking to the future to consider a larger facility he envisioned being able to store additional equipment besides this one truck. After discussion about building size, property lines and water lines, council voted to table this discussion for the next meeting. Council is interested in more of a long-term solution rather than a short-term “quick fix.”

While Smith had hoped to accomplish this addition before winter, he appeared satisfied with the additional time to explore opportunities for a larger facility that could house more than just this one truck. Karboski noted there are reserves available and he was confident they could expand this project. Karboski views it as a capital improvement for the borough. Borough Manager John Brown agreed.

Also, Brown acknowledged the efficient work being done by Administrative Assistant Ashley Rinker and Zoning Officer Joe Peterson. They hoped residential rental inspections would be completed by March and the use of more efficient software is improving the database of inspections.

Council members Carl Sell and Barry Bloch inquired about the established timeline of residential complaints and the response to the complaints. Brown clarified it is a process involving taking the complaint, investigating the complaint, determining whether or not a violation was committed, addressing the violations with the residents and following up. Brown said the complaints are prioritized based on how critical the complaint is.

Bloch seemed to think the borough should have a timeline for addressing the complaints. Brown assured him the complaints are addressed in a timely manner; but each complaint could be unique in how much time is needed to address it, depending on what it is.

Brown noted the borough is still seeking additional applicants for a code enforcement officer as well as public works employees. Interested candidates can contact the borough for more information.

Mayor Ronald Conrad described a busy summer for the borough hosting two big car shows, one big dog show, and National Night Out. He emphasized the importance of National Night Out as an opportunity to develop relationships with the emergency groups and the community residents. He hopes council will provide financial support and emotional support for this event. There was even discussion about possibly getting a few council members to enter a dunk tank which brought out laughs from the group.

In new business, Resolution 2024-05 passed which allows Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. to submit for Statewide Local Share Assessment grant for $29,360 for the South Church Street improvement project.

Also passed was Resolution 2024-06 permitting Barry Isett & Associations, Inc. to submit for Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Assessment Lehigh Northampton grant for $297,360 for the South Church Street project.

Council approved the 2024 Volunteer Fire Relief Association allocation of $20,150.81 to Lower Macungie Township (also known as Wescosville Volunteers Firefighters Relief Association).

Approval of 2025 budget workshop hearing dates are scheduled for Mondays Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4, 11, 18 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16. These are public workshops and will be held in the auditorium of the Macungie Institute, 510 E. Main St. The workshops begin 6 p.m.

Karbonski was concerned about the Lehigh County Authority’s project on South Buttonwood Street, inquiring why council was not included in this project or why Armstrong was not a part of the review of this project. Brown explained this is a water line project and the water authority owns the water line.

Karbonski was concerned that to complete this project, it will disrupt the road, which is borough property and felt council should have been a part of this discussion. Brown explained the water authority wanted to fix the water line before anticipated work being done on Buttonwood was started.

Karbonski did not want to complicate the issue. He noted that because the water authority is working on one of their roads to get to the water line, then council and Armstrong should review to “keep legal eyes on it.” Armstrong said he will work with Brown to have an answer for the next meeting. Brown explained it would be better to have the water line work done before having the enhancements completed for the Buttonwood Street project.

In other business, Brown shared that excess funds the borough had were put into high interest accounts until they were rolled over and the borough should be “OK” in 2025. However, due to changing interest rates, the projected income for 2025 could be down slightly.

Karbonski shared the holiday gathering for borough employees, council members and board members could be held the week of Dec. 6-13 and possibly in a reserved room at the Pub on Main.

The final order of business involved a request by the Macungie Holiday Committee to close parts of Lumber Street and Lehigh Street for a wagon ride during Macungie Holiday. Council agreed to table this request until the next meeting. Additional information regarding the date, hours, route, donation request and commitment of signature by Sgt. Travis Kocher are necessary before approval by council can be considered.

The next meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Macungie Institute on Main Street.