Macungie Borough Council accepted the resignation of member Linden Miller at its April 18 meeting.

Miller, who made his resignation retroactive to April 5, cited "personal issues and growing responsibilities" as his reason for leaving his council position after only a year and a half.

He was thankful, he said,  for the “privilege and opportunity” to work with those he met during his time on council.  He also stated in his letter, “I know the disunity and distress our community is experiencing can and will heal.”

“This is a sad day for this borough,” said council President Guy Ramsey. “Our prayers are with him and his family and we will miss him.”

Miller represented the borough as a voting member for the Lehigh County Authority Wastewater Advisory Committee.  Council wanted to appoint Borough manager Chris Boehm to the committee to fill the vacancy, but because she wasn’t at Monday’s meeting, council decided it was best to consult her first. The decision was tabled until the May 2 borough council meeting.

Councilman David Boyko said, “Linden has been a great resource to many different departments in the borough, bringing with him experience that he gathered throughout his career, both the private and public sector.  I wish the best to him and his family.”

Attorney Timothy Siegfried, solicitor for the borough, reminded council members they have 30 days to appoint another member to Macungie Borough Council.

Letters of interest will be accepted until 4 p.m. April 27 for the position of Macungie Borough Council member, and can be sent to  Macungie Borough Hall, 21 Locust Street, Macungie, 18062.

An interested person must be a resident of Macungie for at least one year and a registered voter  in  Pennsylvania.  The person appointed will be in office until December 31, 2011.

According to council member Dorothy Kociuba, the Voter’s Registration Office will be notified of the vacancy. They, in turn, will notify both the Republican and Democratic parties in order for each of them to present a name to the Registration Office by August 1.    The position for council member will then be put onto the ballot for the general election in November.

In other business, council discussed a request by Erin Ruth of 56 Hillcrest Drive, Macungie, for “Child at Play” signs to be placed in the vicinity of her home, because she says people drive too fast through the area in which children play.

There is concern, however, that if the request is granted, people will be wanting them all over the borough.

“I can see it in a park,” said council member Jean Nagle, “but not in a neighborhood.”

Pat Steasku -- Ruth's mother and with whom she lives on Hillcrest Drive -- volunteered to pay the  up to $300 a sign would cost.   She said she sees “lots of kids coming from Vine Street to play on Hillcrest,” and feels it is a matter of time before someone gets hurt.  She also said she sees people driving too fast around the curves in an area where visibility is poor.

Kociuba questioned Steasku as to where the best place would be to erect a sign, but Steasku wasn’t sure.

Council member Robert Bogert suggested the group at least evaluate the idea before making a decision.  Council agreed and tabled the decision for a later meeting.  They also said the signs can be installed on a “need” basis, and that not all requests have to be approved.

Several council members said they will drive around the Hillcrest Drive neighborhood to see what it looks like before making a decision.