In the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, the business of Macungie Borough council grinds back into action, but not without some heartfelt criticism from residents and council members alike at the Nov. 5 meeting.

Due to a "failure in communication," a phrase coined and used by several council members in the course of the evening's debates, trick or treat night proceeded as scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 despite a total lack of light in the borough left in Sandy's devastation.

Debra Cope attested to this, having even gone so far as to speak with her neighbors who all agreed they would not be letting their kids out for trick or treat. As Cope stated, no one could even turn their front porch lights on. The borough was absolutely pitch black.

On Oct. 29, the morning of Sandy's projected hit, Mayor Rick Hoffman issued a state of emergency for the borough. Cope emailed borough manager Chris Boehm wondering if trick or treat would be canceled in consideration of the emergency declaration but received no reply. She also contacted Council President Jean Nagle who was reluctant to make any move that might stir the public to panic. Cope assumed the remaining members of council would be notified and proposed trick or treat night be rescheduled for Nov. 3.

It never happened. David Boyko, council member and emergency management coordinator, said he considered no action to be necessary regarding trick or treat night, assuming common sense might dictate to everybody to stay indoors during the borough-wide power outage. He was never notified of Cope's conversation with the president.

"We learned where we were well prepared and where we need to evaluate…We learned from the Halloween storm one year ago and we continue to learn," Nagle said.

"There has to be better communication," and suggested a meeting of council members to determine what could have been done better and what was done well.

"By virtue of no decision being made it went forward," Nagle said. "I did nothing once the mayor stated the emergency because he was putting the emergency management coordinator in charge."

Marvin Moyer spoke vehemently to the mayor about his refusal to take action after declaring the emergency. Hoffman declined the responsibility of canceling trick or treat night, which as a council-designated borough event is not in his power as mayor.

In the midst of discussion the public became more vocally involved again as John Long interjected with the possible dangers of allowing kids out on their own or placing borough homes in danger of vandalism or burglary.

Though council did not formally issue any apologies to the public, both Chris Becker and Joe Sikorski apologized on their own behalfs regarding the lack of communication last week.

But it was not only criticism that marked the meeting's proceedings that night. Boyko, Nagle and others all remarked on the borough's admirable response to the storm and the power outage, with particular thanks for first responders and their families who sacrificed time with loved ones for the service of the borough.

In other business, council will revisit the 2009 downtown revitalization plan now that interest has been shown, namely by Ron Beitler, owner of Bar None Weddings in Macungie.

Beitler came before council six months ago to address his wish to see certain elements of the plan implemented, but noted it had since fallen to the wayside.

Before the hurricane hit, Beitler acquired 19 signatures including 15 from local business owners on a petition to see certain aspects of the plan at least reconsidered for implementation. Most notable would be a new sidewalk design for aesthetic appeal and a median for Main Street to slow down traffic, lowering noise and by extension promote business as well as safety for the area.

Beitler says he and his business partners chose downtown Macungie for their business location because of the revitalization plan and were disappointed to see it shelved.

Beitler urged council to bring the plan back to agenda.

Council asked the borough manager to put together a list of what the prior concerns with the project were; among the reasons of its disappearance was a lack of approval for a federal grant.