Acting on a request from the Northampton Area School District, Northampton Borough Council agreed to the continued dsignation of the borough recreation center on Lerchenmiller Drive as a temporary emergency mass shelter facility.

The measure passed by a 6-0 vote. Abstaining from the vote was Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. Councilman Robert McHale was absent.

Borough officials were informed students, faculty and staff would utilize the recreation center only in the event any of the borough's schools are evacuated.

In the past, the high school was evacuated on a few occasions because of bomb threats, which turned out to be hoaxes.

The only requirement is that the school district in its certificate of insurance add the borough as additionally insured.

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In other business, permission was granted to the Northampton Area Band Parents to utilize the parking lots on Smith Lane and Lerchenmiller Drive on Saturday, Oct.20. The Northampton Area High School Band will host a Festival of Bands event which draws a large crowd from several high schools in the region.

"At this time of the year, the parking lots are no longer used for the municipal park. Therefore, we do not see any problems or concerns in allowing their use," Borough Manager Gene Zarayko advised council.

Councilman Anthony Loponzski Sr. abstained from the vote.