A public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting of the Upper Macungie supervisors to hear the details of a vacation of a portion of a road in Park Place West II.

The land in question is portion of Helen Drive, a 50-foot right-of-way between lots 52 and 53, which was proposed for further development of the adjacent property.

Since no connection occurred, the area will be divided up between the two lots.

Another vacation concerned a portion of the right-of-way on Oakview Drive and Blue Barn Road.

This piece will be returned to the property owner.

As there was no opposition, Solicitor Andrew Schantz will draw up the necessary paper work for the next meeting.

Jay King, represented by Attorney Tim Sieg-fried, was before the board to request a zoning change on some property along Route 100.

King would like the property changed from Neighborhood Commercial to Highway Commercial for a proposed drive-thru Dunkin Donuts on lot four.

This presentation was for informational purposes as the planning commission will not review this until their monthly meeting.

There are six lots in question, which he would like changed but lot four especially.

Schantz will prepare an ordinance for the planning commission.

Two resolutions were adopted by the board.

Resolution 2014-04 concerned a lot consolidation/development while resolution 2014-05 was about Trexler Fields project escrow account.

The bid was awarded for the breach of the Fogelsville dam. Rutledge Excavating was the low bidder with $98,398.30.

Upper Macungie Township will pay half of this with the remainder being paid through grant money received from Act 13 money.

Act 13 money is the impact fee assessment on wells drilled for natural gas.

The bid for the Hassen Creek restoration was also awarded to Rutledge for $98,231.65.

The township will only be responsible for 15 percent of this amount with the remainder coming from the Department of Environmental Protection.

Award is contingent upon receiving the permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.

A discussion ensued concerning the purchase of two new vehicles and one new piece of equipment for the Public Works Department.

A Ford Escape, a pickup truck and a backhoe were debated.

After discussion, the Ford Escape was tabled, while the pickup truck and backhoe were allowed.

Police Chief Edgardo Colón told supervisors Officer Pamela Mathias would be leaving April 2.

She will assume new duties working for the Berks County District Attorney's office. No replacement has been selected.

He also reported that total calls for service the past month were 734.

Of these, 228 were traffic citations with 109 alarms.

The drug dropoff box in the police station is working well.

Many have taken advantage of this service.

Colón reported there are still scams and burglaries by distraction reported within the township.

Alex Tamerler challenged the police department's handling of its authority.

He suggested there should be less enforcement and more education.

Tamerler thought that billboards should be erected where the most citations are occurring to inform and educate the people.

Colón replied his department is proactive, courteous and friendly and all members are doing what they were trained for.

The report on the defunct Berks Lehigh Police Department was given by Supervisor Sam Ashmar.

He said Maxatawny Township again did not show up at the meeting.

Maxatawny notified the commission they would not be attending any meetings as they say they have no obligation for anything.

The guns locked up at the Maxatawny Township Building will be picked up by the state Attorney General's Office.

An actuary was engaged to study the pension shortfall for the former police department.

Upper Macungie has placed all money received from the sale of equipment in a separate account designated for its pension shortfall.

Maxatawny must pay a share of the costs.

Fire Commissioner Grant Grim's report, given by Ashmar, said there were 26 fire inspections, 148 emergency responses and 205 EMS responses.

Station 25 had the most emergency responses with 58.

The township will seek a TAP Grant for work at Grange Road Park and Breinigsville Park.

Transportation Alternatives Program grants are available for transportation alternatives such as trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation.

The grant could be used for sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure lighting, other safety related infrastructure and projects to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The township will pay for the design while the grant will pay for the construction.