After two executive sessions, Catasauqua Borough Council voted on and appointed the new borough solicitor during the Feb. 16 meeting. William H. Platt II was unanimously approved to serve as the borough’s new solicitor.
Interviews were held at the Feb. 2 workshop meeting.
One of the Feb. 16 executive sessions was for a final interview with one of the candidates. After some discussion in the second executive session Feb. 16, council voted between three potential candidates — Christopher Spadoni, Eric J. Gaspar and Platt. Platt emerged as council’s choice.
In other business, council approved two ordinances and a resolution. Ordinance 1458 approved the addition of handicapped parking signage in the 700 block of Second Street and the 500 block of Walnut Street and the removal of a handicapped parking sign in the unit block of South 10th Street. It was reported these changes were approved by police Chief John Wiseman. The vote passed 6-1, with Councilman Sean O’Boyle opposed. O’Boyle noted there are already handicapped spots on the opposite side of the street for both the Second and Walnut streets locations.
Ordinance 1459 added a camping ordinance to the borough code. This ordinance “regulates camping on public property in the borough for public health, safety and general welfare purposes.” The ordinance passed unanimously.
The resolution officially adopted the new employee handbook for the borough. According to the resolution, a handbook was adopted in 2021 but never implemented. Interim Solicitor Jared Hanna said the handbook is intended to be a “living, breathing document open to updates and addendums.” Council approved the resolution unanimously.
Chad Helmer attended the meeting to give an overview on the process of the Iron Works project, going back to 2014. He expressed his optimism the project is finally gaining steam and moving forward.
“The developer seems very enthusiastic,” he said.
He noted the state permit process and then engineering planning and design take time, but VM Development Group is ready to move ahead and get started as soon as possible.
“Brownfield projects take a long time,” he said, but noted the developer is hoping to officially break ground in spring 2027.
Casey Zelena, of Keystone Consulting Engineers, provided council an update on the wastewater treatment plant pole building project and the sewer treatment clarifier replacement project.
Borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick offered updates on a number of borough projects, including the Front Street stormwater project, Northampton Borough Municipal Authority interconnection project, the Lehigh Valley International Airport/Main Street drainage issue, Willowbrook Farms sewer extension, the pocket park at 14th and Poplar streets and more.
It was noted the borough will be seeking an extension on the Multimodal Transportation Fund grant for streetscape work on Front Street. Before that work can be done, the retaining wall project needs to be completed. Nedrick reported the design work for the streetscape improvements is already completed, so they can show that work is being done as part of the extension request.
It was also noted the paving for Race Street from the UGI work is expected to start April 1.
During the finance committee report, O’Boyle reported on an alleged water meter issue at a property in the 200 block of Second Street. It had been reported the homeowner asked for relief from paying a large water bill as a result of a leak. It was noted the occupant reported knowledge of the leak, and the borough did not grant the relief.
When the matter was pushed, Brian White, head of the public works department, personally drove the water meter from the property to New Jersey to have the meter tested. It was reported the meter was working properly.
The borough also granted the homeowner three years of no interest for repayment of the fee.
O’Boyle reported the borough staff was getting “bullied” by outside media groups, which were contacted by the homeowner, alleging potential wrongdoing by the borough. He stressed the importance of understanding there are both sides to the story and getting a more complete picture before jumping to conclusions.
O’Boyle also noted the new financial computer system is in place in the borough and working well. He said the system increases efficiency and is more user friendly.
Council members voted 6-1, with Councilman Robert Zakos opposed, to approve the borough’s new mission statement. Zakos said he didn’t have much time, as a new member of council, to look over the statement. Other council members noted the mission statement had been discussed at previous meetings and workshops.
Councilman Howard Cunningham read a proclamation recognizing and acknowledging the efforts of the borough’s public works, police and fire departments and the borough manager during the January snowstorm.
“These individuals placed service above comfort,” he said, emphasizing their professionalism, commitment and dedication to public service.
Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart noted the public works department had performed snow removal efforts nearly every day for 30 days after the storm.
O’Boyle also made a plea to residents to cooperate with snow removal efforts, such as moving cars when possible to help the crews plowing streets.
Mayor Anthony Alcalde noted the police department accreditation is moving along as they approach a deadline. Cunningham noted they applied for the final available extension for the accreditation grant. If approved, the grant will expire in September.
Additionally, Alcalde said the next police exam is scheduled for April, so they will be working to get the department fully staffed.
Hanna noted the Verizon telephone pole issue brought up by fire Chief Rich Hertzog at last month’s meeting is in the process of being resolved.
O’Boyle read out the number of fire department calls for January and February, to date. He and Hertzog noted the number of calls is especially high.
“These are crazy numbers and for free,” Hertzog mentioned, highlighting that the borough fire department is a volunteer force.
Council members offered their assistance to Catasauqua Area School District and approved a letter of support for the district’s grant application for a “critical facade rehabilitation project at Catasauqua High School.” CASD board President Dale Hein attended the meeting and thanked council for its support.
Hein also thanked the borough employees and mayor for their help with a safety issue brought up at the school district’s last board meeting. He noted Alcalde and Zakos attended the meeting and listened to the board’s concern. The issue was reportedly resolved the next day.
A resident approached council and asked why more vehicles in the borough are not being ticketed for issues like expired registration. He said you can’t walk down the street in the borough without seeing more than one. Alcalde said he would connect with the police department to discuss the issue.
Hozaifa Abdalla, of Erie, approached council representing Castle Management Group. He noted the company helps municipalities with water problems. He shared his contact information with Eckhart.
It was reported the fire department’s Easter egg hunt is planned for March 28, followed by the Catty in Bloom festival 1-5 p.m., at the borough municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.
The next borough council meeting is set for 7 p.m. March 16 at the municipal complex.
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