Emmaus Borough Council approved a $6 fee for use of the compost area to be added to residents' 2013 refuse bill.

The fee, added to resident's garbage bill, will also help fund cards to be used to gain access to the compost area.

The compost area cost the borough $84,377 this year in wages, processing and fuel while only taking in $5,400 in revenue.

The figures for the cost of running the facility do not include pickups of leaves, curbside branches and Christmas trees which, according to Borough Manager Shane Pepe, are estimated to cost another $40,000 to $50,000.

The $6 fee is not estimated to balance the cost of the facility but is aimed at contributing to the bottom line of the service.

Borough council also voted to raise the annual fee for commercial use of the facility from $50 to $100.

"I think it is a $20 service at least, but we do not want to do that to residents right off the bat," Councilman Brian Holtzhafer said at the Nov. 5 meeting.

Council also approved a contract allowing the Emmaus High School rifle team use of the police shooting range at Community Park at the meeting.

"I want to extend a tremendous 'thank you' to all of our borough employees (for their efforts during Hurricane Sandy)," Council President Lee Ann Gilbert said. "They handled this situation extremely well."

Councilman Nathan Brown asked residents to provide cell phone numbers to the borough so they can be contacted through the emergency calling system in emergency situations. Interested residents can contact Borough Hall to have their information updated.

Two generators were stolen from stoplights during the power outages associated with the storm. They are valued at $500 and $1,000 respectively and were cut off of utility poles with bolt cutters. One of the generators was just purchased before the storm and was on the Nov. 5 bill list approved by council.

Two parking ordinances were passed at Monday's meeting. One restricts parking on the North side of Apple Street between Williams and Wenner streets in the borough and the other will restrict parking on South 7th Street near Chestnut Street.