Category Archives: Lower Macungie Township

Lower Macungie Township is a township in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is a suburb of Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of the state. As of the 2010 Census, the township had a population of 30,633.[1]
Lower Macungie is the fastest growing area of Pennsylvania in terms of total population growth[citation needed] and is undergoing rapid suburbanization. Some fast-growing areas of the township include Ancient Oaks, Brandywine Village, Brandywine Village 2, Hills at Lock Ridge, Millbrook Farms, and Shepherd Hills. Its villages include East Texas, Minesite, New Hensingersville (also in Berks County,) Weilersville, and Wescosville.
In November 2007, township voters elected to make Lower Macungie a first class township in 2008.

Twp. goes above and beyond to notify residents.

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Lower Macungie Snow Emergency

After last night’s snow emergency was declared Ben Galliardo our man of many hats, (referring to his multitude of job titles and responsibilities) took to the streets and flyered cars in LMT neighborhoods. This was a one time courtesy and another example of our fantastic staff here in Lower Mac going above and beyond.

At the Jan 6th meeting I was sympathetic to those who showed up whose cars were towed during the Jan 2-3 emergency. Mostly because of the 400 dollar bill they rec’d. One household with two cars faced an 800 bill. If I got a hit with a 400 dollar bill out of nowhere it would certainly sting. I felt the rate charged by the towing company was exorbitant.

Last week our township manager negotiated a lower fee with the private company who does the towing. (Remember, the township doesn’t make a penny off towing cars) The result is a more appropriate pricetag with a little less sting.

On both accounts I think the township responded appropriately. That being said, I do not think the township has a responsibility to go any further in terms of notification. To talk about robo calls or text message alerts is overkill.

There is an issue of personal responsibility here. It is not the government’s job to hold your hand every time it snows. If you see it’s snowing outside and you park your car on a public road you then have the responsibility to find out if a snow emergency is declared. That’s on you. It’s part of the responsibility of owning a car and parking it on public streets in the winter.

When you see it’s snowing you can: Turn on the TV or a radio, go to the township website, facebook, twitter… You can pick up the phone and call the township. Call a neighbor. Call the PSP. We will make the information available in every reasonable way possible but the responsibility in the end falls to the resident.

Yes, we had issues. Part of it was we haven’t towed regularly in the last couple years. Remember, the twp. doesn’t seek to tow. Recent towing was the result of residents in  neighborhoods asking us to do so. We have an ordinance on the books and residents asked us enforce it.

Oftentimes governments over-correct. Elected officials want to help people. At least the good ones do. When people come in front of us we want to make situations right. I know I do. We just have to careful not to get caught up in an issue and must remain measured in  response.

Conversations about spending 20k+ on a robo call system would be an example of overkill. Residents have to take some personal responsibility here. 99% of township residents seemingly have no problem doing so.

Kratzer farm sale stopped

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Kratzer-Barn

At Monday’s re-organization meeting during old business I asked for an update on the Kratzer Farm sale. The Township Manager informed the Board that the subdivision was yet to be filed. After hearing the update I motioned to stop the subdivision process therefore stopping the sale of the house. This is consistent with my position as a candidate and resident over the last year plus.

Kratzer Farm Information

The original vote to sell the house was far from unanimous passing narrowly 3-2. Two of the primary drivers of the sale Ron Eichenberg and Roger Reis were defeated in the Nov. election. On Monday the motion to stop the sale passed 4-1.

I look forward to putting the fate of the house, barn and driveway back into the hands of our Parks Board, Planning Commission and EAC. All 3 volunteer boards opposed the sale at this time. The 1.5 acres is located in the heart of the park.

My hope is that the house and barn are examined as part of a full comprehensive plan for the 88 acre farm and park. If and when it’s determined that the house should be sold then those funds should be used solely for park improvements. That money should be reinvested into the Kratzer farm/park. It should not be rolled into the general or capital budget. I do not support balancing budgets with the sale of assets. This is not good financial planning as there are no guarantees that certain properties will sell at an appraised value. Counting on money before you have it is bad policy when it can be controlled.

 

Lower Macungie Christmas tree pickup, recycling information & dates

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Did you know that here in LMT when waste management picks up your Christmas Tree it is taken to our yard waste center for recycling?

ChristmasTreeRecycle

Why Recycle Christmas Trees: 33 million Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. every year. Compared to artificial trees, real Christmas trees are a renewable resource. 98 percent of trees are grown and harvested each year as a crop. 1000’s of locally owned and operated tree farms across the nation are supported. Real Christmas trees are carbon neutral and create biodegradable waste, making them the greener choice! It’s still important to keep Christmas trees out of landfills where they biodegrade slowly due to low oxygen levels. Here in LMT we’re doing our part by recycling trees into mulch/humus which is then available for pickup by residents at our yard waste recycling center.

Here is pickup schedule for Lower Macungie:

  • Christmas trees will be picked up by Waste Management on your normal trash collection day (by separate truck) during the weeks of January 6th and January 13th, 2014.

Remember: Trees will not be accepted if they are in plastic bags, bound with twine and/or have any ornamentation on them, including lights. 

  • If you wish to remove your tree earlier: They can be taken to the Yard Waste Recycling Center at 5536 Indian Creek Road. The same rules regarding ornamentation apply. Township website, www.lowermac.com has hours of operation.

*Note: Christmas wreaths cannot be placed out with your tree or brought to the Yard Waste Center. Wreaths should be placed in with your trash.

 

LMT BOC Agenda Preview 12/5

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FYI – This is a practice I started and will continue as a member of the BOC. With these previews while I may indicate a voting inclination, it in no way means my mind is made up on any issue. Back during a critical hearing for the Jaindl issue, a Commissioner once spoke before public comment outlining he was voting to move forward the project regardless of what people said during public comment. That was wrong.

My hope is this opens the door for conversations before public meetings. One of my biggest issues with the Jaindl debacle was people didn’t truly understand what was happening until it was “too late”. I plan on doing everything I can to make sure residents have background information and my thoughts on issues before they come to a vote  in front of the board. This is one mechanism to do that. I hope people find it useful. 

12/5/13 Complete agenda with detail

Hearings and Approvals – Kratzer Farm Minor Subdivision
I’ve written alot on this subject. The house will not be sold before January 6th when new Commissioners are sworn in. I do not support the sale of any portion of the Kratzer farm parcel at this time. Selling assets is not solving our underlying financing problems. Selling assets that make sense to sell was good policy over the last 3 years. The Kratzer farm however is unique. It makes no sense to sell at this time. Or better put, there is not good reason or pressing reason to sell it at this time. Not before a comprehensive plan is complete for the parcel. Further, every relevant volunteer board (planning commission, EAC, Parks) objects to the sale of park property at this time. Original position on Kratzer Farm open space

Communication
Compliments:
Scott Alderfer writes a nice letter complimenting crossing guard staff at WLES.
Richard O’Keefe writes complimenting staff on Leaf Collection

Positions:
Carol Black writes in opposition of TIF funding for Hamilton Crossings

18 residents wrote in opposition to property tax. Many favor Conrads EIT alternative. Of note, at least 2 seemed confused about municipal taxes. For ex: one mentioned “subsidizing schools”. Seems confused on school tax vs. muni property taxes….

3 residents wrote in favor of the tax increase and provided supporting rationale.

Solicitor: Solicitor has a note about “Deed in lieu of condemnation of Sauerkraut Rt. 100 intersection. I think this has to do with acquiring land for Sauerkraut extension. I need more information about this before I write about it.

Township Manager:
This will be the huge topic of the night. The ordinance adopting the 2014 budget. I will be writing about this tomorrow. I am looking forward to hearing comments from residents, Commissioners and staff.

Here are some posts I made about the subject over the past 2 weeks.

Blogs
What is home rule charter – and link to Ryan Conrad’s proposed plan
One pro property tax argument that has been made.

Mcall
Lower Macungie property tax proposal stirs last-minute outcry
 

Will our new developments stand the test of time?

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I enjoyed reading this Mcall piece about the PPL building in Allentown: PPL manager takes special care of landmark building.

Got me thinking about growth & development here in Lower Mac. Are projects being built now in Lower Mac being built to last? Will our built environment stand the test of time like the PPL building has? For nearly a century the tower has stood as a local landmark. It’s a symbol of pride and creates a sense of place.

Histories Headlines: PPL Tower was architects ‘sculpted mountain’ – WFMZ

Do we still build landmarks? Here is an example: Is this project going to stand the test of time. In 100 years will it serve as a focal point of our community? (Hamilton Crossings) HC is billed as the “gateway to the township”. Does it deserve that pedestal? In 100 years will people feel a sense of pride when they look at Hamilton Crossings?

Will it even still stand in 75? How about 40 years? I for one doubt it. In fact, I would bet Hamilton Crossings will still be the beneficiary of tax abatement long after it’s deteriorated into another dated strip relic. Box commercial is notorious for it’s short lifespan.

What do you think? Why do we not build projects we can proud of here? Other suburbs value their built environment. Why don’t we get commercial development “built to last” here? What are we doing wrong? Is it because we don’t demand it? Is it because we are shortsighted and in 20 years we’ll pay the price when people flock to places that did care?

Photo: Artist John Epler’s winning 2008 Holiday Card for Allentown. Features the PPL building in downtown Allentown. The painting is titled “Shades of Winter.”

Will this building stand the test of time? Will it even be standing still in 20 years? The lifespan of strip box commercial is notoriously short. Will it even last the length of the TIF used to fund it?

Built to last? Or another strip eyesore in 20 years?

The other side of the Tax argument… Should residents pay for warehousing?

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Ongoing dialogue about the tax issue.

Last week, I posted about Home Rule Charter. It’s the lynchpin of Commissioner Conrads proposal to replace property tax with an increased earned income tax. The problem is almost no one understands what Home Rule Charter is. Including myself until I started researching it. I’m still learning. As I outlined last week it’s a complicated undertaking. There are positives and negatives. One negative being it is not easy to initiate. It takes both time and alot of money. I thought it was important to get people thinking about Home Rule.

Today, I wanted to spend some time talking about arguments I’ve heard in favor of property tax. It’s important to present both sides of the argument. To understand the argument, we need context.  4 years ago, the township refused to fight a quarry proposal and instead engaged in a Memorandum of Understanding that resulted in 700 acres of farmland (Over 1 square mile) rezoned to mostly industrial.

Industrial and Orlic = Distribution warehouses. In this case, large distribution warehouses. This is our new reality.

The pro property tax argument centers around our growing inventory of commercial and industrial development. Since we’ve gone down this road with no turning back some argue warehousing is a key to our fiscal equation. Much like Upper Macungie. This, in my opinion becomes the most compelling counter argument for a property tax.

To put it simply, the EIT plan let’s warehousing and large commercial shopping centers off the hook.

Remember, there is no single use in the entire township that generates more liabilities than distribution warehouses. Under Ryan Conrad’s proposed plan warehousing contributes very little to Lower Macungie’s tax base aside from LST and one time windfall.

You can further assume that a large number working at these large distribution warehouses are folks from outside the township. (evidenced by LANTA’s push to expand lines to them) Because of this we capture little EIT from employees locally.

I have a hard time trying to reconcile warehousing paying so little in local taxes with my belief that development should pay it’s own way over the long term. Residents should not carry the bag for industrial and commercial development.

Here are some numbers to think about. Under .33 mil property tax proposal.
A 200,000 residential home: = 66.00 in property tax
8,000,000 Shopping Center (Trexlertown mall) = 2,640.00
*24,000,0000 Industrial Warehouse: = 8250.00 in property tax.
*74,000,000 projected value of Hamilton Crossings: = 24,420.00 (/2 with TIF = 12,210.00)
*Assessed values based on County website
**Based on TIF narrative 

Here is my question to residents:
Now that Commissioners have doubled down on warehousing, isn’t it sort of crazy not to cash in? 

What is Home Rule Charter? And how it’s being proposed to address tax issue

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Commissioner Conrad has proposed an alternative to initiating a property tax. He outlines that position here. It involves a short term stop gap measure to address the capital fund deficit of just over a million dollars by borrowing from the general fund and cutting 600,000 in capital projects. Long term he proposes “A Home Rule Charter that would give us the option to explore an increase in the Earned Income Tax (EIT)”.

I am open to serious exploration of the proposed long term fix come January. Philosophically I agree with Conrad’s assertion that property tax disproportionately impacts homeowners, especially seniors. I have questions regarding the proposed short term fix. At this point I do not support borrowing from the general fund. I’m interested in more information and public debate on additional cuts to the capital budget. I’m looking forward to the discussion on Dec. 5th BOC meeting and appreciate Conrad looping Brian Higgins and I into the conversation.

In the meantime, I wanted to do a post about “Home Rule Charter” since this is at the heart of Conrad’s proposed long term fix. Here is the long version. Below I’ve taken my best crack at summarizing.

What is a home rule Charter?
The basic concept of home rule is simple. It’s the details and how you get there where it gets really complicated. Home rule means shifting of responsibility for local government from the State Legislature (via first class code) to the local community. Here in LMT we are currently governed by the 1st class township code. Choosing home rule would allow us to tailor our governmental organization and powers to suit our special needs. At least that’s the argument in favor.

Why is it being considered now?
This isn’t the first time Home Rule has come up in LMT. There was a discussion of the merits and move to explore it during the conversion to first class in 2008-2009. The current conversation is centered around the ability to raise EIT. Currently, we have maxed out our ability to raise EIT as an alternative to property tax based on what is allowed under 1st class township code. Home rule would allow us more flexibility.

How would we move forward?
It is not a quick process. It is complicated by design. State law allows for government study commissions. This is something that can be placed on a ballot, created by ordinance or started via petition. If agreement is reached by gov’t study commission the commission can then draft a Home Rule Charter. Again, a very complicated time consuming task. We’d be essentially drafting a new legal framework for our local gov’t that would replace the framework of the 1st class code.

Once a charter is drafted, it goes to the residents for approval by popular vote. This does not happen quickly.

 

LMT BOC Agenda preview 11/21

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FYI – This is a practice I started and will continue as a member of the BOC. With these previews while I may indicate a voting inclination, it in no way means my mind is made up on any issue. Back during a critical hearing for the Jaindl issue, a Commissioner once spoke before public comment outlining he was voting to move forward the project regardless of what people said during public comment. That was wrong.

My hope is this opens the door for conversations before public meetings. One of my biggest issues with the Jaindl debacle was people didn’t truly understand what was happening until it was “too late”. I plan on doing everything I can to make sure residents have background information and my thoughts on issues before they come to a vote  in front of the board. This is one mechanism to do that. I hope people find it useful. 

11/21 Agenda with detail

Executive Session – Clerical Union Contract review. I believe Bruce Fosselman and Ryan Conrad (chair of budget and finance committee) are the designees to negotiate. I think this is a strength of Conrad’s and I’m happy he has this responsibility.

Hearings and Approvals – None

Communication
Letter from  resident William Mayo which I think sums up the thoughts of most township residents regarding the police issue. Mr. Mayo’s position, which I agree with was supported by the recent police services study. Mr Mayo doesn’t think we should deviate from our current police protection arrangement. I agree and think the crime stats presented recently support that position.

Here are articles overviewing the presentation held last week:
LMT releases police services analysis online 
Presentation of Police Services Study Draws a Crowd

Planning
Grant application to update Southwestern Lehigh County Comprehensive plan. Lower Macungie will be applying for grant money to pay for our portion of the SW comp plan update. The plan is a non-binding document created 7 years ago by Emmaus, Alburtis, Macungie, Upper Milford and Lower Macungie.

This original Plan was funded a County grant and in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Land Use Planning Technical Assistance program.

This Comprehensive Plan is intended to establish overall policies for the development and conservation of the Southwestern Lehigh County Region over the next 15 years. This Plan is not by itself a regulation, but is intended to provide the policy direction for changes to the municipalities’ development regulations.

Recently there have been discussions on updating the plan. This was largely necessitated because Lower Macungie has significantly deviated from the plan. The biggest example of course was the Jaindl development debacle and rezoning of 700 acres of ag protected land to Industrial, Strip Commercial and Residential.

Committee Reports:
Public Safety Commission has 3 terms expiring. VOLUNTEER HERE
Audit Advisory Board has 2 terms expiring. VOLUNTEER HERE
Environmental Advisory Board has 2 terms expiring. VOLUNTEER HERE
Planning Commission has 2 terms expiring. VOLUNTEER HERE
Zoning Hearing Board has 2 terms expiring. VOLUNTEER HERE

Discussion with EAC regarding tree-tender committee: TreeTenders AD-Hoc committee. I support this in lieu of a shadetree commission. I attended the tree-tender training and think it’s an excellent program.


2013 LMFD SANTA CLAUS RUN SCHEDULE!

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A Lower Mac tradition since the late 70’s! Here are the dates for Santa’s tour of the township on a Big Red Fire engine! I fondly remember the Santa tour from when I was a kid growing up in East Texas!

Photo courtesy LMFD

FYI this is a question I’ve gotten before that Chief Nosal answered the other day on the LMT facebook page. Someone asked “Why doesn’t Santa come to my development?”. Here is the answer:

 Lower Macungie Fire Department The reason the LMFD has not come thru your neighborhood with the Santa Run is traditionally we refrain from those developments that are under construction and have not been ‘turned over’ to the Twp. The philosophy is; those types of developments under construction typically have basic roads (no top coat, not flush with the manhole covers, not maintained or cared for by LMT…etc). Additionally, in those situations you also have construction equipment and/or dumpsters lining the roads and you also can find small construction debris that can potentially flatten tires, etc. With that being said, however, in you particular case I know your development has been in existence for quite some time and I made a special trip out there this morning to see how it looked. While I won’t take the trucks thru the southern portion of the development where they are actively building, I think running Santa thru the area north of the development shouldn’t be an issue. Please check our website in the next 10 days or so and we will have the specific street by street routes up. Dave Nosal – Fire Chief
Stay informed with Lower Macungie & surrounding issues:
Lower Macungie Township issues or concerns? Contact me here!
Ron Beitler – Commissioner Elect Lower Macungie Township

Tue Nov. 5th is Election Day

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Tomorrow, Tuesday Nov. 5th is Election day. It’s likely I will win a slot on the Board of Commissioners since the real battle was the primary when Brian Higgins and I knocked out two incumbents.

Despite outside interest money pouring into incumbent campaigns Brian and I prevailed. Moving forward into tomorrows election we need you one more time to help send a clear message. Residents are not happy with decisions made over the last 3 years. Frankly, I am tired of talking about the last 3 years and I look forward to moving on. But one last time it’s important people go to the polls with knowledge of poor choices incumbents made over the last 3 years.

To recap one final time. Over the last 3 years:

1. The incumbents including Ryan Conrad secretly negotiated a 700 acre zoning deal with developer David Jaindl. This obligated the township to assist Jaindl in building low employment warehouses, housing and low quality strip commercial. This will destroy the last great tract of prime farmland in the township.

I fought this every step of the way. I would not have engaged in the MOU. I would have fought to protect agricultural zoning that was in place for 2 decades. I would have accepted the small quarry over the Industrial, residential and commercial.

2. When the above deal was challenged, Commissioners refused to testify and justify their actions. This meant the residents would have had to subpoena the commissioners to learn the details.

I will always defend my decisions in the most public of forums. I will never hide from decisions I make.

3. The incumbents claimed to support smart growth… but approved another large zoning change requested by a developer to allow more than 200 apartments on a piece of land that fellow commissioner and realtor Ron Eichenberg is selling as the real estate agent.

I will completely and totally recuse myself from any conflicts of interest I may have as a commissioner. I will promote smart growth, not simply pay lip service to it or promote a watered down concept.

4. The incumbents inexplicably moved ahead with cutting a hole in the middle of the townships Kratzer farm property. They did this against the advice of the township recreation board, Environmental Advisory Council and Planning Commission. All 3 expressed concern that letting the house become privately owned could create future problems for a public park.

I will always take into account the opinions of our invaluable staff and volunteer boards. I also regularly attend all commissions above and beyond what I am required to do. I did this as a candidate and will continue as Commissioner. 

5. Took credit for preventing new taxes and paying down township debt in one of the fastest growing and richest townships in the state. We were able to do this not because of financial wizardry but because of one time windfall from 20 years of hyper growth. By not addressing financial sustainability until the township manager pushed, we actually dug a deeper hole. By waiting until we had to address a deficit budget Commissioners put us in a tougher situation.

I will not bury my head in the sand for political gain. This tax issue should have been discussed months ago rather then waiting for the township manager to force a reaction when faced with a deficit budget. I spoke of financial sustainability at meetings as far back as over a year ago. The community that fails to plan ahead, plans for failure.