David Nosal, Lower Macungie Township's fire chief, gave a presentation at the Jan. 8 Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting.

This presentation provided various statistics of fire events in the township and showed total responses were up from 2013.

In 2014, there were 389 responses compared to 371 in 2013. Eighty-six of these responses were outside of the township. False alarms were down from 2013 with 111. The average response time was four minutes and 14 seconds. For further statistics and information, visit the website at www.lowermacungiefiredepartment.com.

Nosal told commissioners Brandywine and Wescosville are considered one fire departmemt. They work together on fire calls, meaning one responds one time, the other the next time. The fire department is awaiting the arrival of its newest fire engine. The expected arrival is in about two to three weeks.

Comments continue over the Quarry Park project. Residents feel the project is too large and over-priced.

Commissioner Roger Reis, wrote "$3 million is almost equal to 20 percent of the budget."

Army 1st Lt. Michael Miller, operations officer, sent a thank you for packages received from Lower Macungie Township. The battalion is stationed in Liberia, West Africa, for the ongoing effort of Ebola virus containment.

PennDOT sent a response to Lower Macungie Township's letter for speed control on Spring Creek Road. After a review of accidents in the area, it was determined unnecessary to add any additional signage or controls.

Sewage Enforcement Officer Guy Bieber has announced his retirement after 42 years.

Alan Fornwalt, of Keystone Consulting Engineers, has been appointed township engineer until Dec. 31.

Lower Macungie Township has been awarded a grant for $37,500 for traffic light improvements.

Lower Macungie Township entered into an agreement with RCN for cable services. This agreement is similar to the Service Electric agreement and includes discounts for senior citizens.

The year-end manager's report includes the demolition of three Spring Creek properties which were flood prone. This netted the township $698,000. A pedestrian bridge was created over the Little Lehigh near Spring Creek Road.

It was good year for grants. The recycling program received a performance grant. There were trails grants for Brookside Road and Wild Cherry Lane as well as the parking lot created at Spring Creek Crossings. There was a Sewage Facilities Plan Assistance and PPL Energy Savings grant. Grants for tree revitalization for Millbrook Farms and handicap ramps from Lehigh County were also received. There was also an automated red light enforcement grant.

Lower Macungie Township held its fourth anniversary celebration at the community center which was a huge success.

A new electronic sign was installed at the Lower Macungie Township municipal complex.

State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, relocated his office to the township building. Empty office space was renovated for the historical society. Two generators were installed, one at the township building, the other at the community center. An electronic door was installed at the township building. A tire and underwash system was installed. The Camp Olympic restrooms were installed. Pathways were completed from swimming pool to the community center. The Wild Cherry Lane bridge was painted. While painting, defects were discovered which will keep the bridge closed for another few weeks until the defects are fixed.

There was a presentation on the automated trash pick-up program. It received a lot of negative comments and will not be implemented at this time.

An ongoing discussion about traffic studies continued with approval to study the intersection of East Texas and Brookside roads. Prior to this actual study, a quick look suggested there were no quick fixes for this intersection. Therefore, a regular study is needed to determine a long-term fix.

A recommendation for a bike path along Hamilton Boulevard is under consideration. For this to be considered, a study is recommended to get more information. Commissioner Brian Higgins said he would be against it due to the project not being budgeted. He also dos not like the sudden deadline and referred to other projects that have been criticized as too quickly approved without public input. The study was approved by vote of 4-1.

The next board of commissioners meeting will be Jan. 22. February will return to original schedule which is the first and third Thursdays of the month.