Hellertown Borough Council approved a three-year police contract and tabled an internet service provider agreement during Monday\u2019s meeting, while also addressing internal compensation policies and announcing several significant grant awards.<\/p>\n
Police Contract Approved<\/p>\n
Council approved the Hellertown Police Department collective bargaining agreement for 2026-2028, with the contract retroactive to Jan. 1. The agreement includes wage increases of 5 percent in 2026, 3.5 percent in 2027 and 3 percent in 2028.<\/p>\n
Under the new contract, annual base compensation ranges from $68,197.92 for a starting officer (67.5 percent of scale) to $113,707.25 for a sergeant by 2028. The contract maintains the \u201cPitman Schedule,\u201d a 12-hour, non-rotating shift schedule that was implemented on a trial basis in June 2025.<\/p>\n
Greenlight Energy Agreement Tabled<\/p>\n
Council voted to table approval of a Point of Presence site agreement with Greenlight Networks, LLC, after several concerns were raised during public comment and council discussion.<\/p>\n
Solicitor Michael Corriere acknowledged several issues need to be addressed with the company, including changing the jurisdiction for potential litigation from New York to Pennsylvania, clarifying the easement terms and potentially increasing the monthly fee.<\/p>\n
Grant Awards Announced<\/p>\n
Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft announced that the borough and Hellertown Borough Authority recently received several sizeable grants, including:<\/p>\n
$50,000 for the borough\u2019s small water and sewer fund<\/p>\n
$173,000 to the Authority for inflow and infiltration work<\/p>\n
$125,000 to the Authority for water main lining<\/p>\n
Grants for a utility vehicle for watershed work and a solar panel project at the Authority building<\/p>\n
Council Compensation Policy Clarified<\/p>\n
Council addressed the enforcement of its existing compensation ordinance, which requires council members to attend at least 50 percent of meetings in a month to receive that month\u2019s compensation.<\/p>\n
The policy came under scrutiny after a council member in 2025 was paid despite not meeting the attendance threshold, while another member who did meet the requirement wasn\u2019t paid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe directed our attorney to mediate the issue and contact the individual with regards to repayment of funds received for non-participation and to make right for the month that a former councilperson should have been paid and wasn\u2019t paid,\u201d councilwoman Gail Nolf said.<\/p>\n
Going forward, council will be paid on the first of each month for the previous month\u2019s work, with attendance tracked to ensure compliance with the 50 percent requirement.<\/p>\n
Under the current ordinance\u2013adopted in 1996\u2013the Council President receives $2,400 annually ($200\/month), while other council members receive $1,920 annually ($160\/month). The mayor receives $2,400 annually, per the ordinance.<\/p>\n
Meeting Structure Changes<\/p>\n
Council voted to reorganize its meeting structure, splitting the discussion of elected and appointed official reports between the two monthly meetings.<\/p>\n
Council Vice President Larry O\u2019Donnell proposed the change to be more sensitive to people\u2019s time and better organize the meetings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that would be sensitive to people\u2019s time, and it would help kind of organize us, because I think it would be good, too, because we could prepare,\u201d O\u2019Donnell said.<\/p>\n
Winter Parking Reminder<\/p>\n