During the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 18, 2014, the commissioners expressed their condolences over the death of a former commissioner, Bill Spade, who was a commissioner from 2008 to 2010. Commissioners held a moment of silence in his honor.

Township Engineer William Erdman, who previously announced his retirement from his position in the township, was honored at the meeting. Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, Matt Moyer, a representative from the office of Sen. Pat Brown, R-16th, and Bill Royer, a representative from the office of Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, presented Erdman with awards. Erdman also received a plaque from the commissioners for his 39 years of service.

The 2015 township budget was approved with commissioners Douglas Brown and Ronald Beitler voting against. Beitler suggested further discussion was needed.

The budget shows no increase in sewer and refuse rates and a $19 decrease in the real estate tax with the passage of the homestead tax.

The budget also allocates the money necessary for the two synthetic fields with lights, a dog park, walking paths at Quarry Park, a walking trail from Harvest Fields to Hamilton Street, two pickup trucks with plows, a dump truck, a utility truck, a fire police van and other small equipment purchases necessary for the running of the township.

There continues to be correspondence over the Quarry Park project. Concerns range from the use of synthetic fields to the amount of money needed to install the fields.

Others expressed their support of the project as a major township improvement from which all residents will benefit.

Upper Milford Township expressed concern over the intersection of Indian Creek Road and Cedar Crest Boulevard and has submitted a letter to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Frequent closure due to road flooding and the severe grade at the intersection are the reasons for Upper Milford's suggested closure.

Lower Macungie Township was awarded a grant of $175,000 for a pedestrian trail bridge over the Little Lehigh. In another effort to acquire a grant, the Lower Macungie Middle School walkway project was rejected.

A resident expressed his concern over the intersection of Schoeneck Road and Route 100 in the wake of a fatal accident. This area is being worked on and improvements are planned.

According to the township engineer, construction on this intersection will hopefully begin in April.

In other meeting news, Via sent a letter of thanks for supporting the group's marathon in 2014.

Dr. Sue Pizor Yoder from The Barn wrote a letter of gratitude for township support of the four community gardens. These gardens produced over 1,650 pounds of food for the soup kitchen and Daybreak.

Denise Foulke, recreation director, reported on the pajama and troop support programs. There were over 250 pairs of pajamas and over 140 new books donated. Donations were picked up by Lehigh County Children and Youth.

Meanwhile, 65 boxes were sent to six troops from Lower Macungie Township.

The township building now has an electronic sign. The message changes every three minutes.

It was suggested the island at the entrance to the township building be made more obvious as it is difficult to see in the dark.

Lower Macungie Township is temporarily collecting Macungie's taxes due to an illness of Macungie's tax collector, Harry Buchin.

Generators should be in place before the January meeting.

Board of Commissioners meetings will be held Jan. 8 and 22. In February the original schedule of the first and third Thursday will be followed.