At their Feb. 27 meeting, Operations Manager Christopher Greb of Macungie Ambulance Corps advised Alburtis Borough Council the Corps received two awards in 2012.

They received the "Eastern PA EMS Council's Gold Standard of Excellence" award and the "Cares" award.

"Out of 88 [Ambulance Corps] services, four received this award and we were one of them," Greb said of the Gold Standard of Excellence award.

They received the "Cares" award for cardiac arrests survival, from the Hospital of the University of PA Heart Rescue Project. The Corps cardiac arrest survival rate has increased over the last three years from 10 percent in 2010 to 13 percent in 2011 and 16 percent in 2012.

"We were the first in this area to push this," Greb said and he left pamphlets showing results of their first patient satisfaction survey, including other information about the Corps. They randomly sent out 250 surveys for completion covering 10 areas of their services to patients. The results received showed 91 to 98 percent satisfaction on all inquiries.

Resident Tom Koch, speaking on behalf of other residents asked whether the borough will take over Lock Ridge Church, the bird sanctuary and 17 acres from Lehigh County Authority. They wanted to make sure the property would remain as it is, homes would not be built there and they wanted to know the status. President Steve Hill and Solicitor David Knerr assured them the borough wants to take it over from the county to make sure it does stay as it is, but they are waiting to hear from the county about renovations needed in the church.

The topic of utilizing credit cards for utility payments was tabled as a representative from First Niagara Bank did not attend the meeting.

Council awarded two bids for the 2013 sanitary sewer system and manhole rehabilitation project; the sanitary sewer system contract was awarded to IRP Northeast, of Beltsville, Maryland for $229,986.20; the manhole rehabilitation project was awarded to Swerp, Inc. of Lafayette Hill for $4,143.17.

Following a brief discussion about the 128 W. 2nd St. property, Knerr suggested he would like to go into the residence with Hill and Matt Walter of Barry Isett & Associates to see what is there before going to court with a nuisance report. Council agreed.

In other business, Councilperson Peg McCormack said she attended The East Penn Chamber of Commerce meeting and provided a report to the board explaining the organization's latest actions.

The Lehigh County Authority wants Alburtis to support the commissioners so they can extend their charter and have an opportunity to bid.

McCormack also said PPL, because of the hurricane and storms, is cutting trees down to the ground.

The Highway Committee reported PennDOT wants to know if Alburtis public works employees will plow their streets in the borough for $5,000 when it snows. Hill asked council members to consider this at the next meeting.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer reported the Unit 903 speed device is back in service. She said Chief Robert Palmer likes the sign and wants to demonstrate it in the future.

To earn their merit badge for citizenship in the community, three Boy Scouts from East Texas Troup 431, Harrison Walker, CJ Semet and Matt Semet attended the meeting with Karen Semet.

The meeting adjourned 8 p.m. and immediately went into an executive session to discuss the Iron Horse.