Upper Macungie Township Police Chief Edgardo Colon has applauded the efforts of Sgt. Cory Reader in becoming a certified drug recognition expert.

Colon told township supervisors at a recent meeting Sgt. Reader attended the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program, which focuses on training troopers and police officers to recognize when an individual is driving under the influence of drugs.

The DEC program, developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, also teaches police officers how to identify the type of drug causing impairment

Upon completion of initial training, officers are certified as drug recognition experts and become more effective in identifying drug impaired individuals.

"Officers from around the state are selected to attend this training and only a fraction of those who apply are ever selected," Colon read from a prepared statement. "Only seven municipal officers are able to attend each class per year."

With only a few days notice, Sgt. Reader underwent numerous hours of training, clinical studies and countless hours of studying at home, all in preparation for the final test where the only acceptable passing score is 100 percent.

"The fact Sgt. Reader was approached to attend this training speaks volumes about his dedication and reputation," Colon said.

Colon also gave the Berks-Lehigh Regional Police report.

He said Maxatawny Township has withdrawn its appeal regarding the dissolution of the force.

The auction of the assets is expected to be June 22 but could possibly be June 15.

In other matters, Fire Commissioner Grant Grim then gave the board his report.

There were 81 fire inspections done in March.

Station 8 responded to 17 emergency responses; station 25 answered 20 calls, and station 56 responded to 25 calls, for a total of 62.

These were 39 separate incidents.

Scott Faust's report of the public works department included work on the roads and in the parks.

Faust said the township will be loading mulch for residents 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in May, weather permitting.

The zoning officer's report stated 89 permits were issued in March.

Also, a zoning appeal was held to hear the request for a variance by Weis Market Inc. to construct a Gas-N-Go facility at Glenlivet Drive West.

The variance was granted for the gas facility and a variance was also granted for three signs.

A parking problem also was discussed.

This one is occurring along Weilers Road, near Mosser Road at Jaindl Elementary School.

Tractor trailers are being parked in this area and are causing degradation of the shoulder.

The board is considering posting "No Parking" signs in this area.