Charotin Hose Company President Shawn McGinley, also a North Catasauqua Borough Council member, asked the council to approve a fire company proposal to rent out its kitchen facilities. A fire company member has asked to use the kitchen at the fire company to do some baking for a part-time business.

The request was made at the April 9 meeting of the council.

McGinley did not say who the member is, but said the individual would like to rent the kitchen to bake cupcakes for a maximum of 40 hours a month and is willing to pay $10 an hour. He said Charotin officials feel comfortable with the arrangement because the member is trustworthy and already has access to the building.

He said the fire company will reimburse the borough for the utilities cost.

Mayor William Molchany Jr. said it would be necessary to have Borough Health Officer Connie Molchany conduct inspections of the kitchen.

The council approved the plan by a unanimous vote.

McGinley also reported that progress continues on assembling the fire department's new ladder truck.

With the borough covering $610,000 of the cost, he said the tab, with additional customization, is now up to about $640,000. The fire company will cover the additional cost over that agreed to by the council which, among other things, includes a camera system that will assist with navigation when backing up the truck.

"We freed up some money in our budget," McGinley said.

Delivery of the truck is expected by the end of the year.