Council Business Meeting

At 7:35 p.m. the business portion of the meeting began as public comment ended.

Approval of bills to be paid.

Emergency Management and Ambulance did not have reports.

Zoning and code enforcement report was approved.

Economic Development Committee - Councilwoman Werner noted that there are some things need to be fixed at the cabin for public property to consider. Reviewed the recreation, concert, and movie series - all are going well. Motion to approve porta-potties for September's Evening on Main Street. Councilman Bowers questioned if they were being purchased or rented. Answer was rented.

Law Committee - Councilman Herbst made a motion for a "Children at Play" sign to be placed at North and Woodside Streets. Recognition of the 100th birthday for Eva Hapel. Recognition for Patrick Cunningham who achieved level of Eagle Scout. Motion to approve purchase of three garbage cans, the type strapped to parking meters, to be attached to the skate park and paid by donations. Councilman Bowers questions the location of the cans at the Skate Park. All motions were approved.

Herbst said that once Skate Park was approved the police should enforce the regulations that exist and he hopes they do. The Law Committee will review them as they currently apply to the business district only. He also noted that the basketball courts at the Park appear to be needing cracks sealed. Also asked if a man was employed to assist web site development, answer was no. Reason was because a man was at the park with a clipboard getting names and addresses of kids.

Ecology Report presented by Councilman Samus was approved. A pamphlet on grant writing was available to borough, also a state workshop will be held on 9/7 regarding environmental concerns. The sewer authority has a new lab technician, new procedures for developers who come in making requests. Also in process of a pilot program with Lafayette College, an intern will be doing research study for the sewer authority. The sewer authority also signed a five year lease with Nextel for an antenna at $1500 month with an annual increase.

Public property presented by Councilman Bowers requested approval on 11/7, 11/8, and 11/9 from Insomniak Theatre at Council Chambers, which was approved. Bowers also read a statement in which he made an apology regarding the skate park. He said he was not against it, now. He was against it when it was only Nazareth, but with other communities on board supported it. He stated that he conducted an inspection as chair of Public Property and found five missing bolts and missing pieces (the third side rail) and decided it was not safe for use and locked the Park. He further noted he remained against the use of the Skate Park without these items being fixed.

Police report by Councilman Stoudt, requested an executive session. Also he got the article from Becky Butz about the pedestrian crossing signs (cost $400 a piece and article noted a program run by state to get them at no charge) and was withdrawing his motion at this time (to purchase them). Also made a request to approve a stop sign at Convent and Center (I arrived as meeting started and didn't have the agenda, so I think this is the intersection) and then to place temporary stop sign at the same for sixty days (which covers the time between start of school and permanent placement of stop sign).

Stoudt also noted on 8/16 a PUC hearing on the PA American Water rate hike will be held at the Nazareth VFW at 7:00 p.m.

Finally, Stoudt announced that Michael Sinclair is the candidate for Chief of Police. Sinclair must pass civil service, physical, and psychological tests and if he does he will be sworn in on Tuesday, September 4 and begin work on September 5.

Stoudt announced that the process was as a whole Council and not a small committee. Council, the consultant, and everyone involved did an excellent job and thanks to everyone.

Councilman Kopach noted that residents will see a big change, more patrols, and calls back.

He then gave the grounds report, approved, and noted that the paving and prep for Forest, Evergreen, and Park turned out very nice.

Councilman Daugherty gave the Fire Report, which was approved. He also noted that the Mass alert system will be installed on Wednesday. Motion to approve donating $750 to off-set expenses of fireworks, to approve payment for instalation of pole to hold new siren, and to hold the Halloween Parade on 10/20 at 1 p.m. where all approved.

Question asked by Chiavaroli regarding the testing of the system. Noted it will be tested but schedule not yet announced, will be. Herbst asked about tones. Noted there are only two, fire and significant emergency.

Motion to approve payment of $18,469.03 to Furst Architectures for 2006 capital projects that was approved with as best I could tell Herbst and Kopach voted no.

Mayor Keller announced that the siren, mass alert will be tested on Thursday and announcements will be made. Police report opened by stating if ever there is a problem regarding police to contact hi as he is the administrative chief of the department.

A discussion ensued regarding moving cars to clean streets and the value of running the street sweeper when it can only go down the middle of the road. Noted that should consider alternate side parking at certain times. Chiavaroli asked Kopach to give this some consideration at next committee meeting.

Mayor noted there were 8 criminal, 27 vehicle citations, and 8 accidents in July. He also said they were stepping up enforcement in the Spring Street area based on complaints from residents on Thursday.

Engineer and Solicitor had no reports.

Chiavaroli noted there would be one executive session.

New Business was raised by Stoudt who noted he was more and more disturbed with people who live near and around the borough park, outside the borough, and call police because of noise. He said it is a park, if you live near it, activity will take place and you will get noise.

Samus noted that when there is a problem on 33, trucks come down 191 and try to cut through town, but can't make the turn at the Diner/Pizza Hut. Should be directed to turn left on Jandy, right on Broad so they can go straight through town.

Werner asked if someone was doing the web site? Answered no, they have the person from school to assist, but Chris is responsible. She asked because recreation people would like a page on the site of their own that they could have access to and change as needed since people call them on their home phones when weather is an issue with event status. Other council members said can't give them access for security purposes.