A message of concerned warning was shared by all present at the Aug. 13 Borough Council meeting: if at all possible, avoid Freemansburg Sept. 8.

Council and residents belatedly realized that is the day of the Hill Climb and the popular Via marathon, which uses the borough as a relay exchange. While these events are generally in the evening and morning respectively, each swells the tiny municipality with traffic.

Council worries may be exacerbated if work on the battered old culvert at Main and Washington streets is under repair at the time.

The majority of the meeting was spent discussing late-night noise and parking congestion at a Main Street church. One resident complained to council that services had recently run until as late as midnight and that congregants were exceedingly loud upon leaving.

Saying the churchgoers parked illegally, drove off at an unsafe speed and kept him and his neighbors awake, the man asked that something be done.

During a nearly half-hour talk regarding the responsibility of planners and zoners in determining appropriate nighttime public gatherings, Council President Homer "Bud" Lorrah and Police Chief Todd Pantuso finally told the man its in everyone's best interest to simply call the police every time there's an issue so instances can be documented.

Council also announced a community meeting for final organization and prep for the annual Halloween parade. Residents who wish to volunteer or help in other ways are encouraged to attent Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.

That meeting and the next council meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 10, will be held at 600 Monroe St.