Upper Macungie Considers Increasing Number of Supervisors

An old topic came at the end of Thursday night's Upper Macungie Board of Supervisors meeting and this time, board members were receptive.

Resident Joe Corcoran, who ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Kathy Rader in 2011, asked supervisors to consider increasing the board to five supervisors from its current three.  

Corcoran cited the growing numbers of residents in the township, which now stands at an estimated 21,549, according to the township Fall/Winter newsletter. The newsletter cited Pennsylvania Township News magazine, which stated that Upper Macungie leads the Commonwealth in growth for the period spanning April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012.

The township's population, according to the publication, grew from 20,063 to 21,549.

Supervisors were not adverse to the suggestion. "How we do it is beyond me," said supervisor chairman Edward Earley.

The law, according to township solicitor Andrew Schantz, states that either the board pass a resolution to place the matter on a ballot or township residents must circulate a petition with the requisite amount of signatures. 

"Put it on a ballot," said supervisor Sam Ashmar. "If people want to step up, we can allow the residents to decide whether they want three or five supervisors."

The board passed a motion asking Schantz to draft a resolution on the matter that can be voted on during the November meeting. Schantz said it was too early to speculate on when such a ballot question could be placed in front of voters.

Corcoran, a local Realtor, also spoke about the need for a township manager.

"What we really need is a township manager," said supervisor Kathy Rader. 

Earley and Ashmar work as supervisors on a part-time basis. Rader is an employee of the township.