The Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation to Assistant Fire Chief Brent McNabb who is retiring from this position. He has been with the Lower Macungie Township Fire Department for over 35 years serving as deputy, president, captain, lieutenant and assistant fire chief. He is one of three generations who have served on the fire department including his father and his son. McNabb will stay on in an investigative position.

Chief Dave Nosal also recognized Ben Galiardo who has also served for over 35 years.

Nosal provided the board with a report for the year 2012. Of special note are the number of responses which are 429, down by 69 from 2011. Of these responses, 128 or 29.8 percent were false alarms which is a concern for the fire chief and the township. The solicitor will check into more serious action after four false alarms from the same facility.

An average of 15 members responded per incident in 2012, up from 14 members in 2011. The average response time is four minutes and 46 seconds which is down from five minutes and 15 seconds in 2011. For additional statistics and details about the fire department, visit the fire department's website.

Residents Susan Coenen and Todd Salomon appeared before the commissioners to reiterate their concerns for the walking issue at Willow Lane Elementary School. Township Manager Bruce Fosselman has been working with Sara Pandl, director of planning and the school district. Minutes and notes are being researched to determine when this issue first arose. They were assured the issue will be carefully monitored.

Various appointments were made to committees and boards during this meeting. The commissioners reappointed Scott Forbes from Ad Hoc. Peter Pavlovic was moved up from Ad Hoc and Mike Dattilio was named Ad Hoc member.

Willet Thomas was reappointed to the building code board of appeals. Scott Alderfer was reappointed to chairman of the environmental advisory council. Christopher Sacchi was appointed to the EAC. Irv Keister and George Doughty were appointed to the planning commission. The vote for Doughty was not unanimous.

Blake Marles was appointed to the historical commission. Julie McDonell was appointed to the vacancy board.

For the zoning hearing board, Scott Aquila was appointed as alternative and Tom Sesta was moved into a regular position. Larry Schneider was not reappointed to the zoning hearing board for which Commissioner James Lancsek expressed his disappointment.

"Schneider did his homework and knew the ordinances," Lancsek said.

Schneider thanked Lancsek for his kind words and "excellent collaboration in helping me serve the citizens of Lower Macungie Township as a zoning hearing board volunteer member for last six and one half years." He said he was "shocked and disappointed by the actions of the other four commissioners."

Art Imdorf spoke of Schneider's co-founding the Citizens for Change and his successful campaign to change the township from a second class township to first class. "Larry used his expert marketing skills to help restore the public trust." Imdorf said Schneider also was instrumental in creating the township's website and database.

"I am respectfully requesting the commissioners reconsider and reappoint him to the zoning hearding board. Our township cannot afford to lose good volunteers," Imdorf said.

William Royer recommended tabling the motion. "This is a disservice to the community. Change the decision for the good of the township."

Jane Fretz suggested this [decision] is "vindictiveness and not part of a democracy."

Joe Pugliese, a former commissioner, said "this is a mistake. Reverse the motion."

After many residents spoke, no tabling or reconsideration was recommended.

Township Manager Bruce Fosselman gave his report of accomplishments for the year 2012. There were several grants obtained which include the Pa. Community Transportation Initiative Grant for $125,000; the Automated Red Light enforcement grant for $142,000 and the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Projects for Camp Olympic.

New employees were hired including Lorraine Lelko as a new receptionist and Stan Cupp as the new Public Works facilities crew chief. Debbie Ward was hired as the planning/utility clerk.

The Public Works four year contract was approved and the Greenways plan was approved.

The Fund Balance Policy was updated, a bond was refinanced and a $2 million debt was retired. Online credit card payments are now accepted. The township became part of the social networking world through Facebook and Twitter. The township has hired a third party vendor to collect delinquent sewer and refuse bills. The personnel manual was updated and there were two document shredding and recycling events.

The Board of Commissioners' meeting schedule was set up for the year with meetings held the first and third Thursdays of the month. The July 4 meeting will be eliminated due to the holiday as well as the budget and finance and the public safety commission meetings.