Three members of the Catasauqua Borough Council walked out of a special council meeting Monday after their votes to approve the purchase of the FL Smidth property along Front Street were not enough to move forward with a plan to construct a municipal and emergency services building on the site.

FL Smidth had offered approximately 12 acres of land bounded by the Lehigh River and Front Street to the borough for the price of $750,000. The borough, in December 2012, had agreed to work with Weston Solutions of West Chester, to develop the property as a municipal center with apartments and a rejuvenated commercial sector. That plan died last month when Weston was unable to complete an agreement with FL Smidth and its cooperating partner, Woodmont.

Monday's vote was a decision not to move ahead with the land purchase without the support of the developer.

The usual group of supporters and opponents lined up before the microphone to explain their position before the vote. Solicitor Jeffrey Dimmich limited debate because in his words, "We have heard most of the arguments for and against the proposal." There were no substantial changes in position between those opposed and those in favor of the purchase.

Council voted 4-3 to reject the purchase. Councilman Alfred Regits, an unwavering opponent of the development, was joined by Council President Brian Bartholomew, Councilman Eugene Schlegel and Councilwoman Mitzi Smith in the decision.

Smith, who had voted for the Weston proposal in December, changed her mind. "I think the developer needs to be a part of this plan. I don't feel comfortable with the borough handling this alone," she said after the meeting.

Councilmen Vincent Smith and Brian McKittrick and Councilwoman Jessica Kroope voted to make the purchase.

Vincent Smith made an impassioned plea, saying the future of Catasauqua rests in the purchase of this piece of land.

"Purchasing this property allows us to correct a mistake that we made when we passed on the property last year," he said. "There are several developers who expressed interest in the project and Weston has said they will continue to work with us. We can purchase the land from FL Smidth and sell it off to the developers. We would get the land for a new borough office for nothing."

Smith's pleas did not sway the other members of council, however.

Bartholomew said after the meeting that he would have accepted development of the property if there had been a plan in place.

"We don't have anything that shows what we are going to do with the land in the 100-year flood plain," he said. "We need to be able to have a plan in place and then get the developer to come on board."

Police Chief Douglas Kish, after a difficult day of trying to interview assault victims and coordinating a Civil Service Commission meeting, was adamant about the need for a new emergency management building.

"We can't go on like this," he said. "It's been 10 years that we have been talking about the need to get this done and we still have nothing. I need a new police station so we can function effectively."

Council members in favor of the purchase walked out of council after the vote. Some residents in the audience made muted comments that it is time to change council as they left.

Robynn Shannon said that she did not understand the logic.

"In December, there were enough votes on council to pass this and now we can't get approval?" she said. "I don't understand the reasoning." Schlegel and Mitzi Smith had voted to move ahead with the proposal in December, but opposed the direct land purchase.

"I think we are putting the cart before the horse," said Schlegel in his remarks. He advocated more planning to identify the best use of the land.

Sean McHugh, who lost a bid for the office of Catasauqua mayor in Tuesday's primary election, favors the direct purchase.

"Council seems to be in a caretaker mode," he said after the meeting. "They don't seem to see a prosperous future for Catasauqua."

With three council seats up for re-election this year, voters may have voiced their opinion Tuesda. Democrat Al Regits did not receive enough votes to advance to the general election in the fall. Incumbent Vincent Smith will face off against challengers Deb Mellish and Christine Weaver, both Democrats, and incumbent Republican Mitzi Smith, who was unopposed in the Republican primary. Top vote-getters Mellish and Weaver have expressed support with borough development of the Front Street property.