UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Upper Macungie Board of Supervisors now will be led by its newest member.
The board on Tuesday voted unanimously to make newly elected Supervisor Jeff Fleischaker its chairman.
Fleischaker was elected to the board on Nov. 7 to fill the seat formerly occupied by Kathy Rader, who decided not to run for re-election after serving on the board for 16 years.
The board, which is the governing body of the township, has three members: Fleischaker, James Brunnell and Sunny Ghai, who had served as chairman since the beginning of last year.
Ghai now is the vice chairman. Brunnell did not second the motion Fleischaker made to appoint him, but did not raise objection.
Brunnell and Ghai have clashed at several public meetings. During his campaign, Fleischaker said he thought he could ease tensions by bringing a “reasonable voice” to the meetings.
“Personally, I think it’s a good opportunity to bring some change."Vice Chairman of the Upper Macungie Board of Supervisors Sunny Ghai
Ghai said in an interview after the meeting that he thinks Fleischaker’s experience as vice chairman of the township Zoning Hearing Board makes him “extremely well-qualified” to preside over the supervisors’ meetings.
“Personally, I think it’s a good opportunity to bring some change,” Ghai said.
Fleischaker is an attorney at Engel, Wiener, Bergstein & Fleischaker in Allentown, focusing on real estate law.
He has resided in the township for 16 years and has raised his three children in Upper Macungie.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Fleischaker started the Pledge of Allegiance but did not continue saying it after the rest of the room joined in.
He had no public comment on the matter in an interview after the meeting.
According to Pennsylvania’s second-class township code, the chairman of board of supervisors leads meetings and has the power to call special meetings and swear in police officers.
Other business
Also Tuesday, a badge-pinning ceremony for newly hired police Officer Courtney Funk was held.
Funk is a 2010 graduate of Dover Area High School in York County and a 2014 graduate of Lock Haven University in Clinton County.
Funk recently graduated from Allentown Police Academy. Previously, she was a physical therapy assistant for St. Luke's University Health Network.
Upper Macungie Police Chief Mike Sitoski announced he was selected to the FBI National Academy. He will take a leave from his position for about 10 weeks.
Supervisors granted preliminary approval to a plan to demolish the existing gas station at 5917 West Tilghman St. and replace it with a convenience store, car wash and retail space.
The developer will have to come before the board again with the final plan.
Supervisors also granted preliminary approval to a plan for parking and driveway improvements at Fogelsville Elementary School.
