By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

Among the numerous items on the agenda for the Sept. 3 Upper Macungie supervisors meeting, the board approved the creation of a new recreation program to highlight the talent of local artists.

Recreation and Events Coordinator Lynn Matula said the Art in the Park event, planned for a Saturday afternoon in September 2021 at Grange Park, will showcase local artists of all genres.

Matula said the township would be looking to have local art schools, Parkland High School’s Art Department, local art and music studios, and other organizations display their works, as well as participate in an art competition.

She also suggested Art in the Park could bring in food trucks and live music and invite township wineries to provide samples of their products.

Another item on the agenda was awarding the refuse and recycling contract for 2021-23, as the township’s current contract with Waste Management ends this year.

Finance Director Bruce Koller said the township received three bids - Whitetail Disposal, WM and J.P. Mascaro and Sons.

Whitetail Disposal had the lowest overall cost.

Supervisors approved awarding the bid to Whitetail Disposal of Perkiomenville for $5,884,267 for a three-year term with two, one-year renewal extensions.

A motion authorizing Solicitor Andrew Schantz to draft a contract between the township and the company, and to have township Manager Bob Ibach sign it, was also passed.

Supervisors also approved the purchase of a new rescue truck from Rosenbauer America, LLC for Trexlertown Fire Company Station 25 at a cost of $878,434.

Director of Fire Peter Christ said the board had asked him in August to look into additional information about potentially refurbishing the station’s current rescue vehicle.

The costs were impractical and Christ suggested purchasing the new apparatus.

Also approved was the purchase of a vibratory roller for the public works department for $26,799.12.

Furthermore, the board approved the sale of public works vehicles to neighboring townships.

A dump truck, plow and spreader will go to Weisenberg Township for $40,000, and a utility truck and plow to Lowhill Township for $18,000.

In other business, the board approved posting and enforcement of a 25 mph speed limit on Brandywine Circle after receiving complaints about speeding from a resident.

Under resolutions, the board heard nine waiver requests for the Weilers Road Townhouse project.

This is a proposed development of 144 town houses spread across 36 buildings.

Supervisors voted to approve one, table two and deny six of the requests.

Two waivers for the 157-unit Schaefer Run Commons (Hamilton Walk) age-restricted development, regarding the installation of high-density polyethylene pipe and Belgian block curbing, were approved.

A sewage planning module for a single-family home at 440 Oldt Road was also given the go-ahead.

Supervisors also voted to extend a final offer of employment to Donna Flisak as a full-time utility billing clerk, effective Sept. 8.

Additionally, they approved the minimum municipal obligations for the township’s 2021 payment plans.

Koller said for estimated MMO costs, the nonuniform and uniform plans totaled $638,436 and $229,208, respectively, and the costs would be partially offset by state aid.

Interim Police Chief Michael Sitoski also asked the board to authorize the disposition of used police department winter jackets from 2013, and the removal of all police emblems and patches.

The board approved, with Supervisor Kathy Rader suggesting the department donate the coats during the winter coat drive.

For the police report, Sitoski said as schools started up again in September, bus stops can be nominated for the Operation Bee Safe program to be monitored by officers on a rotational basis.

Nominations can be emailed to Lt. Peter Nickischer at pnickischer@uppermac-pd.org or to Officer Bill Rohrbach at wrohrbach@uppermac-pd.org.

Sitoski also said the department would be changing its National Night Out event for 2020 to better comply with COVID-19 restrictions, but will still be holding an event in some capacity.

Details to be discussed in the future.

The board also approved a motion to extend a conditional offer of employment to Renata Brito de Silva for a full-time police department clerk position, pending background checks and other clearances.

In the fire report, Christ said Cetronia EMS had 267 responses in August.

Fogelsville Station 8 had 58 responses, Trexlertown Station 25 had 80 and Upper Macungie Township Station 56 had 71, and Christ noted the increase in responses was due in part to Tropical Storm Isaias.

Fogelsville Station 8 also added one member, for a total membership across all stations of 93.

Lastly, township Secretary Kalman Sostarecz Jr. reminded all residents to complete the 2020 census.

He noted the upcoming count deadline of Sept. 30.

In addition, special supervisor meetings would be held Sept. 22 at Fogelsville Station 8, and Sept. 29 at Upper Macungie Township Station 56, both at 7 p.m.

The next board of supervisors meeting is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 1.