Published September 24. 2026 11:37AM
Emmaus Borough Council elected new leadership Sept. 21 following the resignation of Councilman Chris DeFrain, selecting Councilman Brent Labenberg as council president and Councilman Roy Anders as vice president.
DeFrain resigned from council after serving as chair of the budget and finance committee and as a member of the general administration and public safety committees. He will continue to serve as chair of the borough’s Halloween Parade.
Following the leadership change, council approved two parking and traffic ordinances, advanced a third ADA parking proposal, delayed the South 12th Street paving project and received updates on grants, infrastructure projects and upcoming community events.
Council gave final approval to Ordinance 1290, establishing a residential disabled parking space on the public street in front of 368 Broad St. The ordinance received its first reading Aug. 17.
Council also approved Ordinance 1291, which amends the borough’s codified ordinances to shorten the one-way section of Adrain Street. That ordinance also received its first reading Aug. 17.
A third measure, Ordinance 1292, received its first reading Sept. 21. The ordinance would establish a permitted ADA parking space at 26 N. Fourth St. A second reading is scheduled for Oct. 19.
The health, sanitation and codes committee recommended delaying the South 12th Street paving project. During public comment, residents asked council to postpone the work, saying they had not received sufficient advance notice. Council approved the delay.
The committee also shared notes from its Sept. 15 meeting, while the parks and recreation and public safety committees provided updates from their September meetings.
The budget and finance committee presented several items council approved, including the borough’s 2027 Pension Minimum Municipal Obligation, the required amount the municipality must budget for its pension plans in the coming year; the borough’s 2025 financial statements and audit report; and Resolution 2026-27 approving the borough’s bill list.
Council also approved a contract with SpyGlass, an information technology auditing firm, and authorized the borough manager to apply for a Local Share Account grant.
Borough Manager Shane Pepe reported Emmaus received a $90,000 Local Share Account grant last week. The funding will support roof repairs, restroom renovations and bridge restoration at Emmaus Community Park.
Pepe also said Well No. 2 is expected to return to service soon following work related to the borough’s PFAS project. Well No. 1 will require additional time. He said neither well will be placed back online unless PFAS levels are zero.
Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert announced the borough’s National Night Out event will take place Oct. 3, with a rain date of Oct. 4. Gilbert said approximately 37 vendors are expected to participate. Planned activities include K-9, motorcycle unit, bicycle unit and drone demonstrations, as well as food trucks, a rock wall and a medevac helicopter landing.