It was that time of year again when all local municipalities in the state must reorganize on the first Monday in January.

Upper Macungie was no exception.

Jim Brunell was elected chairman with Sean Gill vice chairman.

Kathy Rader will remain as supervisor.

In other matters, a certificate of Valor was given to Grant Grim to show the township’s appreciation for the fire companies efforts during the fire at Heather Glen retirement community.

A tapping fee study was done to develop the rates for sewer hookup. The fee will be discussed at a future meeting. The proposed rate would be $5.81 per gallon per day.

The truck restriction on Oldt Road was discussed by the board.

David Alban, Keystone Consulting Engineers, explained the evaluation has been completed and the recommendation is to place signs extending from the current Oldt Road signs at a private driveway to Nestle Way.

The board agreed and adopted an ordinance to legalize the placement.

Supervisors denied the sidewalk waiver for the Parkland Fields subdivision.

Public works was authorized to purchase seven new pieces of equipment.

Authorization was given to enter into the agreement for the Independence Day fireworks presentation. The date has not been set and the township’s share of the fireworks is not to exceed $20,900.

Two new employees were hired. Jamie Almodovar will be a receptionist and Brenda Bower is the new billing clerk.

Supervisors noted 121 new homes were permitted in 2019 with 94 apartments and six commercial structures.

The building and zoning department issued 45 building, three electrical, seven mechanical, eight sewer tapping, nine sprinkler and 13 zoning permits.

Licenses issued were 41 plumbing and 61 electrical. Ten single family attached permits and one new commercial structure permit were issued.

Upper Macungie police responded to 839 calls for service with 208 traffic citations issued.

The most reported crime was DUI with 19 offenses. Theft came in second with 12 and disturbing the peace was third with 10 offenses.

The K-9 team performed two narcotics checks.

The motor carrier safety program had a total of 26 inspections with 11 violations discovered and three citations issued and the driving enforcement program had one set-up with 26 citations issued. Fastest speed was 117 mph in a 55 mph zone.

EMS response totaled 127 Priority 1, 49 Priority 2 and 77 Priority 3 with one mutual aid.

Emergency responses were 32 for Fogelsville, 34 for Trexlertown and 50 for UMT.

Fogelsville gained 15 new members and lost three, Trexlertown gained eight and lost four and UMT welcomed seven and lost three.