Christopher Becker Appointed to Macungie Council

Macungie Borough Council unanimously appointed Christopher Becker, at its May 16 meeting, to fill the vacancy left by in April.  He will serve as the interim councilman until December 31, 2011.  A council person will be elected in the November general election to serve the two years left of Miller’s term.

Mayor Rickie Hoffman administered the Oath of Office to Becker, after which, he took his seat on the council.

Becker brings with him a desire “to unify the council after a vote [takes place].”  He has been employed for 30 years at R.L. Reppert, Inc. in Emmaus, and said his job as a project manager and estimator qualifies him to be able to make financial decisions and work within a budget.  His employment experience has also given him the ability to work with people, he said.

Because of his appointment to council, Becker was required to resign from the Zoning Hearing Board.  Councilman Robert Bogart, Jr. thanked Becker for his 13 years of service on the Zoning Hearing Board, the last two as chairman.

In other business, council has decided to move ahead with the sidewalk ordinance.

Council woman Dorothy Kociuba suggested having a meeting prior to the next business meeting to summarize the ordinance for the residents.  Other members agreed to give a brief presentation of the sidewalk ordinance at 7 p.m. on June 6.

Highlights of the ordinance consist of:

• “The Code Enforcement Officer shall determine (a) where and when new sidewalks and/or curbs shall be installed or constructed and (b) where and when existing sidewalks and curbs shall be repaired or replaced.”
• “New sidewalks and/or curbs shall be required in the following locations: (a) in the Town Center Zoning District; (b) along the perimeter of any property that abuts a street and upon which any of the following uses are permitted:  public…schools…; community center buildings…municipal building or fire or police stations…; public or private parks or playgrounds.”
• “Sidewalks located in the areas set forth…and determined to be in need of repair…shall be repaired within forty-five (45) days of the date of final determination.”
• Permits will be required.
• Inspections will be required.

The complete ordinance will be available for review on the Macungie Borough website.

Also, Mayor Hoffman read three letters received by Chief of Police Edward Harry:

• Slatington Police Department and Northern Lehigh School District both express their “gratitude” for the assistance of the Macungie Police Department on April 20, 2011.  “Corporal Mike Mullen and his K-9 partner exemplified the utmost professionalism while assisting our department with student locker sweeps at Northern Lehigh Middle and High School.  The sweeps resulted in the recovery of thirteen (13) bags of marijuana and one (1) item of drug paraphernalia…”
• The Township of Whitehall expressed their “gratitude and thanks for the approved use of the Macungie Borough narcotic canine unit.”  A small amount of marijuana was seized in a sweep of Whitehall High school.
• District Attorney James Martin received a letter of commendation directed to the Macungie Police Department “(as one of only 168 departments state-wide) from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency recognizing the consistent, timely return of police reports to the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.”