By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

Discussions about the planned Upper Macungie Community Center at Grange Park became a focal point of public comment at the Oct. 7 supervisors’ meeting.

Earlier in the meeting, supervisors had voted to ratify the planning commission’s approval to grant the preliminary/final subdivision and land development plans for the 191,737-square-foot facility, which would include indoor recreation amenities, as well as other improvements to Grange Road Park.

During courtesy of the floor, Phyllis Krause presented a petition signed by a number of residents asking the board to hold public meetings to receive public comment.

She said the signers were concerned the current design, “isn’t real transparent,” did not match the public’s desire, and that the indoor athletic field is “primarily for the use of field sports.”

Krause said she and other Grange Road residents were concerned about possibly large amounts of traffic on the two-lane residential road, and referred to a township traffic count of 2,000 vehicles, which was taken at a recent major event at Grange Park.

Chairman James Brunell said the community center project started in 2011 and a “substantial amount of effort” had been put into the development process including surveys, hired consultants and annual discussions at numerous meetings.

“We didn’t want to do it by raising taxes, and we wanted to make sure we gave the community what they wanted,” Brunell said. adding he was frustrated by the lack of understanding on people’s part with respect to how long something like this takes.

“We’re at the cusp of breaking ground and now someone wants to know what we’re doing, and yet all of that information, we’ve been discussing it. There’s no hiding.”

Brunell also said the community center was built to try and suit “everybody” who lived in the township, and the facility must be self-sustainable.

Brunell and Recreation and Events Coordinator Lynn Matula said surveys were mailed to residents about the community center in 2017.

Multiple meeting attendees, however, pushed back and said they never received any surveys.

An at-times heated discussion then occurred, with attendees saying the township would have to let people from outside Upper Macungie come to the community center for it to be self-sustaining.

Supervisors responding by saying that some sporting events would likely draw nonresidents.

Audience members also said visitors did not “respect” them, damaged mailboxes and littered, and sped on the roads.

Other residents complained about excessive light pollution from new lights installed at Grange Park, as well as reports of individuals entering the park after hours.

Brunell and Supervisor Kathy Rader asked if staff could look into light pollution issues and, in response to questions about why this issue was not addressed sooner, said if the township does not receive complaints, they might not be aware of a problem.

Further discussion concerning Grange Park and Grange Road focused on a proposed roundabout to be located at the intersection of Lenape Trail and Grange Road.

Residents questioned its usefulness and purpose, noting the park will also receive a second entrance/exit.

Bruce Krause said as a Grange Road resident, he would not be able to back out across the road if the roundabout was installed due to potential traffic issues.

Township engineer Dave Alban said the roundabout has several functions including as a traffic calming measure, as a measure to help people cross from the nearby neighborhood into the park, and also as a way to improve the functionality and improvement of the intersection.

Alban and the board said the roundabout may serve as a deterrent to keep trucks off Grange Road, another topic of discussion raised by residents during the meeting.

Brunell noted roadway improvements were a part of the community center project.

The board asked for the sketch plans for the roundabout be brought to a future meeting in order to provide additional information.

In other business, the board authorized two public hearings for ordinance chapter updates, with one taking place at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 for zoning of the Township Code, and at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 for subdivision and land development updates.

The board also approved a two-year collective bargaining agreement with the Upper Macungie Township Police Department Officers Association, which will run until Dec. 31, 2023.

Township Manager Bob Ibach said the current labor agreement expires at the end of this year.

The new agreement calls for a 3.75-percent wage increase per year and also makes changes to longevity and life insurance.

Supervisor Sean Gill praised the professionalism of the officers involved in the contract negotiations, and board members expressed their gratitude to the police department, and that negotiations resulted in a satisfactory agreement.

The next supervisors’ meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 4.