Within a month, Macungie gained a new 30-hour police officer, three new police GPS units and a new council president.

Newly appointed president Chris Becker moderated the meeting for the first time Feb. 4.

Richton Penn was appointed as a police officer effective immediately.

Chief of Police Ed Harry put Penn forward as a candidate for the 30-hour officer position, created under this year's budget.

Penn has been working as a part-time officer since last June. Harry said he does not intend to immediately fill the part-time position left vacant by Penn's promotion.

The vote for Penn received nays from former president Jean Nagle and vice president Greg Hutchison. Nagle said a 30-hour officer was "not the best way to go" and pointed out a borough office staff member taking six weeks of sick leave would be replaced by a temp.

In December, Becker argued for the 30-hour position to fill in for some medical leaves with the police department. Nagle said part-time officers could be used to fill in as needed.

Becker hastened to remind council their vote was for Penn, not for the position.

"We were voting for an individual tonight," he said. "He's not part of our politics."

Hutchison asked the mayor when the GPS units would "start up" and Hoffman assured him it would be within two weeks.

Harry confirmed one GPS unit has been installed in the primary patrol car and the others are scheduled for installation.

Hoffman previously said Harry was not on board with the installation of the GPS units, which will allow the chief and the mayor to review the whereabouts of each patrol car.

Becker informed the public "some issues [are] pending right now" and further discussion in executive session was necessary.

Borough council also received a letter from Brianna Brown, of the organization Save Allentown's Water, asking for support in their objective to prevent the privatization of the neighboring city's water and sewer. Council decided to write to the City of Allentown reminding them of their obligation to their signatories. Though Macungie has a closed water system, the borough shares joint sewer lines with Allentown. If the city sells the sewer, Joe Sikorski said it could come back to Macungie in the long run.

Rather than respond directly to Brown, Nagle cautioned council to bring their concerns directly to Allentown. Sikorski stressed Macungie needs to protect its own interests regarding the water supply. At present, council will only notify Allentown and the LCA of Macungie's concerns about the projected sale.