Macungie Borough Council held a brief meeting Nov. 17 with some action taken on capital project items, follow-up on new agenda items and a new hire for the police department.

Mayor Gary Cordner requested and obtained council's approval for the appointment of a new police officer, Kyle Bernhard. He will fill the part-time position vacated by a resigning police officer contingent upon passing an exam establishing his certification.

Cordner reported Bernhard has not done police work for a few years, but is going to take the exam to recertify. Council approved a conditional offer of em- ployment contingent on this item.

The borough office was given authorization by council resolution to move forward with an application to the PA Department of Transportation for a traffic signal at Church and Main streets. The traffic light is tied directly to council's decision to make Cotton Street one way for part of its length. Council President Chris Becker said in a statement to a resident at the beginning of the meeting all of the borough's capital projects, now only Cotton Street and the traffic light, are based on public safety.

The borough office is also going to look into a grant for a stormwater management study and the development of a management plan. Becker estimated this cost at around $22,000, so a grant is desirable. The study will be directly related to complaints by residents in and around Fairview Street in the borough who say the lack of a proper stormwater management system on the street has led to severe deterioration of the sidewalk curbs. Residents signed a petition to council requesting, among other things, replacement of the water main and installation of new sewers.

Becker said the water main is a budget item for the Borough Authority, but noted the budget has not been approved yet.

There was no action or report on the agenda item regarding the Main Street Streetscape Plan. It was only noted the borough is waiting for Transportation Access Program grant agreements.

Borough Manager Chris Boehm reported on the ADA accessibility ramp for the intersection at Main Street and the railroad tracks; plans are drawn up and ready for submittal to the grant application.

Boehm reported the budget workshops for the 2015 budget year are over. A preliminary budget has been produced and will be displayed for the requisite 10 days. Council is slated to take action on the preliminary budget at the Dec. 15 meeting.

It was reported the borough's application for the Automated Red Light Enforcement grant for crosswalk and signage had not been approved. The ARLE grant provides funds from PennDOT for cameras at traffic signals, in order to track vehicles failing to stop at red lights.