The Borough of Northampton has an agreement of sale to acquire a one-half acre tract located near the Hokendauqua Creek, off of Smith Lane, which could be utilized for parking, according to Borough Manager Gene Zarayko.

Borough council has been appraised of the land acquisition. The property is owned by Atlas Welding, which operates a large state-of-the-art welding shop at the site with a continuous parcel of open space.

The purchase price quoted by Zarayko is $25,000. The additional parking would accommodate large events held at the municipal park, including Community Days in the summer that the Northampton Exchange Club runs.

In regard to large crowds, numbering in the hundreds, which last summer, during the weekends, flocked to the south end of Canal Park, Zarayko said, "We have heard nothing yet." The borough said it would enforce ordinances and park policy at Canal Park.

Public Works Department personnel are working on the block and wood roof structure of a salt shed on the grounds south of the municipal building. The structure may be completed by week's end or shortly after. The borough said a larger salt shed was needed. The present salt shed, next to the structure being erected, will also be altered.

Work is nearly complete on repairs and renovations to the band shell at the municipal park, which was damaged earlier by a storm. The interior of the band shell will receive a fresh coat of paint, the color yet to be decided. Presently the interior wall is blue with a dark yellow ceiling.

In other details, crews are working on putting the various infields in shape at the park and playground grounds in the borough.