At the July 3 Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors meeting, officials reviewed the draft final version of the township’s updated comprehensive parks, recreation and open space plan.

Township Recreation Program Manager Ryan Griffith said the yearlong planning process, led by Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, has involved extensive public engagement, including over 1,120 survey responses, a 14-member steering committee, focus groups and consultant attendance at multiple public events and meetings.

Griffith described the process as highly collaborative and praised both the consultants and community for their involvement.

“This is a great product – something we can be proud of to guide our park programming, facilities and open space planning for the next decade,” Griffith said.

Peter Simone and Robert Gladfelter, of Simone Collins, presented highlights of the plan and noted the strong community interest, particularly around trail connectivity. “This plan is about balancing growth with quality of life,” Simone said. He emphasized the importance of aligning trail planning with regional partners like South Whitehall and Lower Macungie to create a broader network.

Gladfelter added the plan includes conceptual ideas and tools to support implementation. “We believe this plan truly reflects what we’ve heard from residents,” he said, pointing to robust participation in the public survey and direct feedback from events.

Several township officials expressed strong support, noting the plan’s comprehensive nature and the emphasis on public input. One board member suggested adding more detail on regional trail connections, which consultants acknowledged as an area for ongoing coordination.

During public comment, township resident Sandy Stanton, raised concerns about what she saw as a lack of updated details in the draft. She specifically questioned proposals for the area known as Blitz Park.

Gladfelter clarified the rendering shown for that space is only a concept, not a finalized plan. “This would require a full master planning process with neighborhood and stakeholder input before anything is built,” he said. He stressed these concepts are intended to spark conversation and are not official development proposals.

The board expects to vote on formal adoption of the plan next month, which will include a detailed presentation of final recommendations.

Supervisors also took time to thank the volunteer steering committee and community members for their engagement, calling their contributions vital to shaping a long-term vision for the township’s parks and open spaces.

In other business, the supervisors approved a resolution, authorizing an intermunicipal agreement with the Parkland School District to provide a school resource officer for elementary schools located in North Whitehall Township.

The resolution allows the township police department to assign an officer to a Parkland elementary school within North Whitehall during the academic year. While this officer will serve full-time at the school during the school year, they will return to the township police force during summers, holidays and snow days – bolstering patrol coverage during those periods.

Officials noted the position has already been budgeted for in the township’s 2025 fiscal year and Parkland School District will cover a portion of the officer’s salary and benefits during school hours. This is a new arrangement for the North Whitehall school, although similar SRO support has been provided previously to other elementary schools in the district.

Board members confirmed officers assigned to SRO roles receive specialized training, including certification in school resource officer instruction. Several officers are already trained and have been conducting outreach and safety training in district schools.

During the public comment portion, township resident Patrick H. Foose expressed support for police in schools but raised concerns over financial risk and the long-term sustainability of the agreement. Foose cited Parkland School District’s financial constraints, including tax caps, rising costs and recent revenue losses from local services tax changes. He urged the board to require a multiyear funding commitment from the school district and protections to shield township taxpayers if the district is unable to uphold its share.

“I support our police,” Foose said, “but support must be paired with fiscal responsibility. We need a plan that’s built to last, not just one that sounds good in a budget cycle.”

Despite the concerns, the board moved forward with a vote. The motion passed unanimously.

The board offered a heartfelt tribute to longtime township employee Finance Director Bruce Koller, recognizing his 10 years of service. Board Chairman Jeff Fleishaker praised Koller’s “long and distinguished career in municipal services,” noting the township has benefited immensely from his leadership and dedication. “We couldn’t be as good as we’ve been without you,” Fleishaker said, extending best wishes for his next chapter.

Later in the meeting, Foose delivered a passionate and urgent plea regarding the dangerous railroad crossing at Ruppsville Road. Citing a recent near-fatal collision June 19 involving a tractor-trailer and a Norfolk Southern train, Foose called the crossing “a ticking time bomb” with outdated infrastructure – no gates, poor visibility and inadequate warning systems. He demanded immediate action.

Foose warned inaction could lead to tragedy and said the public and media “will remember who stood up to protect this community and who looked the other way.”

Fleishaker acknowledged the seriousness of Foose’s concerns and suggested the matter be formally addressed in the next township report, emphasizing the need to identify the appropriate channels to begin work on the issue.