NEW BETHLEHEM – An almost entirely new council for New Bethlehem Borough held its first regular voting meeting on Tuesday, receiving an update on the Penn Street bridge project and other matters as the community moves into 2026.

With five new members on the seven-person board, new council president Scott Barrett led the Jan. 20 meeting.

Tom Thompson, project manager for GFT, the borough’s engineering firm, told the council that he was hoping to have all the paperwork in place soon with the contractor for the Penn Street bridge replacement project so that discussions could begin with officials at the local J.M. Smucker peanut butter factory regarding the timing of the bridge work.

When asked by councilman Ed Goth about the timeframe for the bridge work, Thompson said that the contractor would have until September to completely finish the work, but that the majority of the project would be done earlier in the year.

“It will be done this summer,” he said.

Thompson noted that if the bridge replacement and road closure doesn’t fit within the manufacturer’s planned temporary shutdown in 2026, then other alternatives may be looked at for keeping access open for the factory.

Following an executive session at the end of the meeting on Tuesday, the council reappointed GFT as the borough’s engineering firm for 2026.

Also at the meeting, the Rev. Dr. Gordon Barrows, mayor of New Bethlehem, provided the council with several reports, including a report on the need for property owners to keep their sidewalks clear of snow and ice this winter.

He said that the borough’s snow removal ordinance applies to all properties, including those that are currently vacant. He pointed to the former Rite Aid site along Broad Street, noting that the managers of that property will be notified of the need to keep the well-traveled walkway clear.

The mayor also asked for anyone in the community who is able to help clear sidewalks, either as a volunteer or for payment, to provide their contact information to the borough office so that a list can be given to property owners who need help.

Barrows also urged the council to act as soon as possible to establish a new committee to oversee the borough’s Gumtown Park, as individuals and groups are looking to reserve the park for various dates this year. He recommended that the council quickly establish a rental and deposit fee structure so that events can be planned.

The mayor also provided the council with an update on the Southern Clarion County Regional Police Department, noting that the department is fully staffed, and that he saw “very good things” coming for the police department in the new year.

“We’re actually looking to expand,” he said, adding that while he could not go into any details on the matter, he was “very excited” about the opportunities for the department.

Barrows also updated the council on the Redbank Valley Municipal Authority, saying that the group had been approached by Mahoning Township regarding the RVMA taking over the township’s sewerage services. The mayor, who also serves on the RVMA board, noted that the authority would not be interested in buying the Mahoning sewer system unless it also included the township’s water system, which would make the transaction more profitable.

Other Business

• Council president Scott Barrett asked his fellow council members to provide him with a list of which committees they would like to sit on during 2026. He said he expected to make those committee assignments in the next month.

• Elaine Weeter was unanimously approved as deputy tax collector for the borough.

• The council appointed Derek Oberlander as a representative for the borough on the Southern Clarion County Regional Police Department board.