Misplaced Pages

Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
#984015

36-540: Upper Macungie Township is a township in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania , United States. The population of Upper Macungie Township was 26,377 as of the 2020 U.S. census , making it the fourth-fastest growing municipality of any category in Pennsylvania in terms of total population growth between 2010 and 2020. The township was created in 1832 when Macungie Township was divided into Upper and Lower Macungie townships. It

72-457: A family was $ 97,180. Upper Macungie has one of the highest median family incomes in the state of Pennsylvania with an amount nearly double the state average. Males had a median income of $ 57,971 versus $ 38,490 for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 35,506. About 0.8% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over. Upper Macungie Township

108-706: A hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) and the hardiness zone is 6b. The monthly average temperature in Fogelsville ranges from 28.5 °F (−1.9 °C) in January to 73.3 °F (22.9 °C) in July. As of the 2020 census, the population of the township was 26,377. The population density was 1,011 inhabitants per square mile (390/km). The racial makeup of the township was 71.3% White , 8.9% African American , 0.1% Native American , 12.7% Asian , and 5.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.5% of

144-688: A progression of municipal structures based on population growth, it is not uncommon to have a township and borough of the same or similar name, generally adjacent within the same county. The 'town-like' borough might be partially or wholly surrounded by the remaining township from which it had split off. The government of Cold Spring Township ceased to function in 1961, when there were no candidates for office. Pennsylvania townships typically vary in size from 6 to 40 square miles (16–104 km ). There are two classifications of townships, first class and second class. The commonwealth initially incorporates all townships as second class townships. To become

180-1140: A tax collector and, in many townships, a panel of three auditors who annually audit all township accounts. The supervisors or commissioners of the township appoint a secretary and a treasurer, and may also appoint a township manager to coordinate township employees and operations. County governments may provide some or all municipal services to residents of townships, regardless of class and size, including trash collection or sewage processing. Some counties, though, leave individual municipalities to provide their own services; in some instances small groups of boroughs or townships may pool their resources to provide water, police, or other functions. The main areas of local services include police and fire protection, maintenance of local roads and streets, water supply, sewage collection and treatment, parking and traffic control, local planning and zoning, parks and recreation, garbage collection, health services, libraries, licensing of businesses and code enforcement. All municipalities in Pennsylvania, however, rely on county and state organized courts for probate, criminal, and civil court services. Under

216-497: A township of the first class and operate under the powers of the First Class Township Code, a township must have a population density of 300 inhabitants per square mile (120/km ) and voters therein must approve the change of classification in a referendum. The classes of townships differ primarily in the form of their administration. Townships of the second class are governed by a board of supervisors, elected at large by

252-619: A turnpike commissioner who replaced a commissioner from the previous scandal was charged with bribery, extortion and conspiracy. In 1978, former turnpike commissioner Egidio Cerelli was convicted of extortion, serving time in federal prison. One of the largest projects the Commission managed was the Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project . Legislated in 1978, construction did not begin until after environmental approval in 2004 and design work in 2008. Ground

288-574: Is not part of PennDOT , though it does coordinate with PennDOT on road design procedures and guidelines. As of February 2021 , Mark Compton is the CEO. The PTC was established by law on May 21, 1937, when Pennsylvania Governor George Earle signed Act 211 into law. The first commissioners were named on June 4 of the same year. PA Act 229 of 1953 states that the PTC shall be dissolved once its debts have been paid: "When all bonds, notes or other obligations and

324-465: Is part of the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area, which had a population of 861,899 and was the 68th-most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. as of the 2020 census. Upper Macungie Township is located 11.5 miles (18.5 km) southwest of Allentown , 60.8 miles (97.8 km) northwest of Philadelphia , and 99.2 miles (159.6 km) west of New York City . According to the U.S. Census Bureau ,

360-483: Is served by the Upper Macungie Township Police Department. Prior to 2012, it was served by the now defunct Berks-Lehigh Regional Police . Fire and emergency services are provided by: The township is served by Parkland School District . Students in grades 9-12 attend Parkland High School in the district. Most of its middle school students attend Springhouse Middle School except those in

396-528: The FBI indicated he was under investigation for taking a $ 30,000 a year no-show job for five years from then State Senator Vince Fumo . Rubin later pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice . In 2010, the commission fired 12 turnpike employees for theft of turnpike time, materials or equipment. Several of the managers dismissed had ties to Vince Fumo or Bob Brady , who was a turnpike commissioner from 1991 to 1998. George Hatalowich, then chief operating officer of

SECTION 10

#1732848836985

432-651: The Governor of Pennsylvania , while the fifth member is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation. In addition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the commission also operates the James E. Ross Highway , Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass , Mon/Fayette Expressway , and Pittsburgh 's Southern Beltway , the latter two of which are currently under construction. The PTC is the only transportation agency in Pennsylvania that

468-542: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), 45.97 miles (73.98 km) were maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and 135.94 miles (218.77 km) were maintained by the township. Interstate 78 and U.S. Route 22 run through Fogelsville at exit 49, where they meet Pennsylvania Route 100 ; they are the primary east-to-west roads. U.S. Route 222 runs from

504-591: The Owner–Operator Independent Drivers Association filed a lawsuit against the commission, claiming that tolls inhibited interstate commerce and travel. This lawsuit caused the commission to delay all payments toward public transit between July 2018 to July 2019. In March 2019, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission approved a $ 2 million study regarding a proposed hyperloop system in Pennsylvania. The commission hired

540-559: The Pennsylvania constitution, each governmental entity has the right to choose its own form of self-government, and a limited ability to delegate powers and oversight to such entities as authorities, commissions and school boards. Any township, regardless of its class, may adopt a home rule charter, at which point it is no longer governed by the Pennsylvania Township Codes. While a home rule charter can incorporate unusual features, standard municipal functions are generally part of

576-412: The average family size was 3.08. In the township, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 3.71% from 19 to 24, 36.08% from 25 to 49 and 31.1% age 50 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males. The median income for a household in the township was $ 85,600, and the median income for

612-524: The commission an extension to this payment, saying "Transit received a big number under the CARES Act. There’s not going to be any gap in their transit funding." A coalition of more than 80 unions and public transit rider organizations called on the commissioners to pay their transit funding obligation and for state legislators to find a stable means of transit funding. In November 2020 the commission voted to issue $ 550 million in bonds to pay this obligation for

648-405: The commission was charged with two counts of driving under the influence . Timothy J. Carson, then vice chairman of the commission resigned after two drunk driving crashes while driving turnpike vehicles in 2003 and 2006. On April 28, 2010, Governor Ed Rendell proposed that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission be merged into the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation . A special session of

684-646: The commonwealth. As with other incorporated municipalities in Pennsylvania, townships exist within counties and are subordinate to or dependent upon the county level of government. Townships in Pennsylvania were created in the 17th century during the colonial-era Province of Pennsylvania prior to the American Revolution . Much of the province was then occupied by Native Americans , but the colonial administration in Philadelphia brought new counties and new settlements regularly. The first communities defined by

720-432: The electorate of the whole township for overlapping six-year terms. The number of supervisors can be increased to five by referendum. Townships of the first class, by contrast, have a board of commissioners. Between five and fifteen commissioners sit on this panel; they can be elected either at large or by wards within the township; and they serve for overlapping terms of four years in office. Other elected officials include

756-600: The far north of the township. The district maintains six elementary schools for students in kindergarten through fifth grades, including Fogelsville, Fred J. Jaindl, and Veterans Memorial Elementary Schools in Upper Macungie, and Cetronia, Kernsville, and Parkway Manor Elementary Schools located elsewhere in the district. As of 2022, there were 182.81 miles (294.20 km) of public roads in Upper Macungie Township, of which 0.90 miles (1.45 km) were maintained by

SECTION 20

#1732848836985

792-399: The following highways: The turnpike is governed by five commissioners; one is the current Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation, four are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania . As of September 16, 2023 , Pennsylvania Turnpike Commissioners are: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in 2021 that, over five years, the average length of public meetings of the commissioners

828-533: The interest thereon have been paid [...] the Turnpike and the connecting road, tunnels, and bridges shall become a part of the system of State Highways and shall be maintained by the Department of Highways free of tolls; and thereupon, the Commission shall be dissolved." In 1957 two commissioners and several contractors were convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges for defrauding the commission of $ 19 million. In 1963,

864-551: The laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , is the lowest level of municipal incorporation of government. All of Pennsylvania's communities outside of incorporated cities , boroughs , and one town have been incorporated into individual townships that serve as the legal entities providing local self-government functions. In general, townships in Pennsylvania encompass larger land areas than other municipalities , and tend to be located in suburban , exurban , or rural parts of

900-588: The mix regardless of how offices and powers are allocated within the jurisdiction. "Citizen's Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government, 2010" Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission ( PTC ) is an agency created in 1937 to construct, finance, operate, and maintain the Pennsylvania Turnpike (both the mainline and the Northeast Extension ). The commission consists of five members. Four members are appointed by

936-542: The multinational engineering firm AECOM to perform the study, which will examine the impact such a system will have on the turnpike's operation, as well as regulatory and environmental concerns. In April 2020, the commission stated they might not be able to meet their obligation to help fund the state's public transit agencies and would consider delaying capital projects, except for the $ 129 million cashless tolling project. In May, acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramain granted

972-408: The population. There were 9,313 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and

1008-439: The provincial state government tended to be rural, geographically large, and sparsely populated townships. Townships or portions of them tended to become boroughs after population growth or an increase in population density and, eventually, might to reincorporate at the level of city. Initially, each municipal organization begins as a second-class township. When a sufficient population density, currently 300 people per square mile,

1044-401: The southwest to the northeast, while Pennsylvania Route 100 , Interstate 476 , and Pennsylvania Route 863 are the primary north-to-south roads. Another important east-to-west road is Schantz Road, which serves multiple industrial and commerce parks and nearly traverses the township. LANta bus routes 213, 218, and 322 serve the township. Township (Pennsylvania) A township , under

1080-633: The state legislature voted on this issue on May 4. On August 26, 2010, PennDOT told the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission that they needed to pay them $ 118 million for public transit funding provided by Act 44 or PennDOT would have veto power over the Turnpike Commission's decisions. In 2013, a grand jury found evidence of a " pay to play " culture at the commission. Eight people were charged, including Senate Democratic leader Robert J. Mellow , former Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin , and former turnpike CEO Joseph Brimmeier . In March 2018,

1116-658: The support of then CEO Joe Brimmeier. Act 44 was amended by Pennsylvania Act 89 of 2013 to extend these payments until 2022. Part of the Act included the commission assuming control of and placing tolls on Interstate 80 , however this aspect of the plan was rejected by the Federal Highway Administration . Between 2007 and 2011, the commission spent $ 406,497 buying cars for the personal and business use of turnpike commissioners. In March 2009, then governor Ed Rendell fired commission chairman Mitchell Rubin after

Upper Macungie Township, Pennsylvania - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-645: The township has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68.0 km), of which 26.1 square miles (67.6 km) are land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km), or 0.65%, are water. It is drained by tributaries of Little Lehigh Creek and Jordan Creek into the Lehigh River , which in turn joins the Delaware River in Easton . Upper Macungie Township villages include Breinigsville , Fogelsville , Krocksville, Kuhnsville , Newtown, Ruppsville, and Trexlertown . The township has

1188-424: The year. On June 2, 2020, the commissioners voted unanimously to abruptly terminate 492 toll workers. CEO Mark Compton cited falling toll revenue and concerns about exposing toll workers to COVID-19 as the reasons the layoffs were necessary. The commissioners said the layoffs would save the commission $ 42 million in 2020 and $ 65 million in 2021. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission finances, operates and maintains

1224-519: Was 12 minutes. Over 700 votes to spend millions of dollars had been cast with only one dissenting vote. Commission chair Yassmin Gramian says that she contacts other commissioners before the meeting to handle any discussion or potential dissent privately. On February 1, 2013, Mark P. Compton, previously the deputy secretary of administration at PennDOT, became the commission's chief executive officer (CEO), succeeding Roger Nutt. Craig R. Shuey, previously

1260-514: Was attained, the township had the option of holding a referendum and, if it passed, became a first-class township. The municipality could proceed to the level of borough or city in a similar fashion. Historically, this progression has often included border adjustments or mergers with other boroughs or townships. Many communities remain townships in spite of growth that brings the characteristics of more-urbanized areas that might be associated with "towns." Because Pennsylvania's constitution provides for

1296-595: Was finally broken in 2013. The total cost for the project exceeded $ 1 billion; the Commission borrowed from foreign investors for financing half the project by joining with the Delaware Valley Regional Center (DVRC) through the U.S. government 's EB-5 program, saving the Commission $ 35 million over conventional banking channels. Pennsylvania Act 44 of 2007 required the commission to make quarterly payments to PennDOT, amounting to $ 450 million annually, to help fund public transportation in Pennsylvania, with

#984015