The Borough of Northampton has been approved for a second gaming grant from proceeds of the Sands Casino in Bethlehem

In addition, a third application for a gaming grant is pending, community planner Victor Rodite said during a recent council meeting. Rodite has acted as the borough's point man in pursuing the grant funding.

The borough is on a winning streak in terms of securing gaming grants, which are administered by the Northampton County Department of Community Economic Development on behalf of the Northampton County Gaming & Redevelopment Authority.

Regarding what Rodite refers to as Gaming Grant 2, he stated, "So far, so good. We do not receive any requests for corrections or additions. As you [borough officials] will recall, this grant application seeks financial assistance to acquire a vacant blighted lot in the Uptown area to convert it into a park and public space."

The property housed a vacant store that has sat idle for decades. The structure was earlier destroyed by a fire. The land is located on the west side of Main Street, near a church and just south of the Roxy Theatre. There has been discussion about a farmers market being located on the tract and a small park where concerts could be held.

Rodite added Grant 3 was approved for the acquisition and installation of several electric power generators that will permit the borough to operate the sewage pumping stations when electric power fails as was the case during Hurricane Sandy.

According to Rodite, Zarayko recently had to hire a company to pump out and dispose of sewage at the pumping stations operated by the borough's wastewater treatment plant. Rodite said hooking up a temporary generator at each pumping station is not the answer. He said the power requirement for the sewage pumps is so significant that the average electric generator would not be adequate.

Concerning Gaming Grant 1, the borough manager acquired an electric generator for the Northampton Memorial Community Center, which also houses an emergency shelter. The borough public works department personnel will install the concrete pad for the new generator. Rodite said the community center is pitching in with the installation costs for the generator.