Fair Districts PA was on the agenda for Upper Macungie Township supervisors.

Carla Colangelo and Mary Erdman, representatives of the group, asked the board to pass a resolution against the gerrymandering that occurs in Pennsylvania after each decennial census.

The state’s politicians get to decide where the boundaries of their electoral districts will be located.

This practice favors one political party.

Two bills are in the state legislature now that address this issue - Senate Bill 22 and House Bill 722.

In order for the gerrymandering to be outlawed, a Constitutional amendment must be adopted.

Fair Districts PA favors a nonpartisan committee that would be appointed to carve out the boundaries of the districts.

Supervisors decided after some deliberation, they would not pass any resolution supporting or denying the plea.

Supervisor Kathy Rader opined this should not be adopted by supervisors as it might not be the desire of township residents. Rader said the group should petition legislators on the matter.

The meeting also was rewards night for some people.

Tyler Krider and two other members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, presented an award to Upper Macungie police for their help in a recent animal case.

According to Upper Macungie Lt. Peter Nickischer via email to The Press Sept. 19, “Several of officers assisted the Game Commission in rounding up some bears that were in the area. I believe that was back in May.”

Jim Brunell presented an award to Township Manager Dan Olpere, who will be retiring Sept 30 due to health reasons.

David Etowski was awarded for his service to the township planning commission. He has been on the commission for 38 years and is currently chairman.

Director of the Bureau of Fire and Emergency Management Coordinator Grant Grim told the board of the fire companies’ rating from the Insurance Services Office.

The most recent report indicated Upper Macungie ranked in the top 4 percent of all firefighting organizations in the United States.

In Pennsylvania, Upper Macungie ranks in the top 13 of 2,466 fire organizations.

The performance of the fire services resulted in a Class 2 grade. This will become effective on Dec. 1, 2017.

Currently, there are only eight companies in the Class 2 bracket in Pennsylvania.

Several residents were present to ask the board to set aside an area for a pickleball court.

Two of the tennis courts at the Grange Road site could be used.

The board agreed and will have Keystone Consulting Engineers review the price difference.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong.

The game can be played indoors or outdoors on a court the size of one used for badminton with a modified tennis net.

Pickleball, which can be played as singles or doubles, uses a paddle and a plastic ball with holes.