SHANE PEPE - MAY 5, 2016

 
 
 
Shane Pepe, Emmaus Borough Manager, was the speaker at Emmaus Rotary Club on May 5.  Pepe shared an update based on five topical areas: New Municipal Building, Police, Fire, Community Service, and Initiatives & Partnerships.
 
New Building: The property was acquired from Rodale in 2015. When complete, all borough services will be located within a block of the site which will lower costs and offer better security for borough assets.  The cost of the project is projected to be $4.8 million.  Pepe said this figure could come down by 30% if certain aspects are completed by borough employees as opposed to outside contractors.
 
Police: This is a department in transition with the recent retirement of a long-serving chief of police.  Many other positions have turned over as well.  The hiring process for new officers requires tremendous resources and takes five months due to background checks, training and testing.
 
Fire: The department has a new chief (formerly served in a similar role in Myrtle Beach, SC).  The borough is also in litigation with the fire department union which, if decided adversely to the borough, could require a payment of $2.4 million.
 
Services: The borough has realized operating cost savings of over $2.25 million and received grants of over $1.3 million since 2012.  The borough has focused its capital purchases on more efficient equipment (like leaf removal equipment) and has partnered with neighboring municipalities to share equipment and manpower for major projects (such as sharing a paver with the borough of Macungie, as well as Lower Macungie and Upper Milford townships).
 
Initiatives & Partnerships: Pepe noted key partnerships with many local organizations including Emmaus Rotary Club, Emmaus Main Street Partnership, East Penn Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Emmaus Lions Club, Emmaus Women’s Club and East Penn School District.  He also highlighted the Southwest Lehigh Comprehensive Plan and invited members to attend the May 24 meeting at the Upper Milford Township office (former Kings Highway Elementary School).