At the Sept. 11 Alburtis Borough Council meeting, Councilperson Kathleen Raines advised council the sign dedicating the hockey court to Althea and Jeannette Walbert is ready. Council passed a motion waiving the fee for the permit. The dedication will be held 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at the hockey court and the citizens of Alburtis are invited to attend.

As requested by Lehigh County, Alburtis Borough Council adopted Ordinance No. 510, Lehigh County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update to qualify for emergency funds or grants in many kinds of hazards including winter storms, wild fires, floods and more.

Relative to Ordinance 510, Ordinance No. 511 was adopted by council adding Chapter 75 to the Alburtis Codified Ordinances.

"Under Federal Law Disaster Act of 2000, Lehigh County had to create a Hazard Mitigation Plan and it must be done every five years in order to qualify for federal funds or grants in a hazard or other reason," Solicitor David Knerr said. This plan is in addition to the emergency operations plan already in place in the borough and directed by an emergency management coordinator, with the fire company as first responders. Should there be a disaster, citizens should contact the fire company, police department or call 911. Hazard mitigation is an additional protection for the citizens of Alburtis in case of a disaster or hazard or other reason, to qualify for federal funds or grants.

Council passed Resolution No. 2013-3 re-establishing the terms of the Planning Commission members: Brian DeRienzo, March 4, 2014; Bernard Servagno, March 4, 2015; Robyn Petrie, March 4, 2015; Jason Schweyer, March 4, 2016; Salvatore Alagna, March 4, 2016; Sharon Trexler, March 4, 2017; and Steven Mehl, March 4, 2017.

Council passed Resolution No. 2013-4 appointing Alburtis resident Steven Mehl to the Alburtis Park and Recreation Commission. Mehl will serve until the term expires March 4, 2016.

Resolution No. 510 was passed by council designating a snow emergency route at Chestnut Street from Third Street to School Street and designating handicapped parking spaces in the borough on the east side of Franklin Street in the vicinity of 211 S. Main St. and extend handicapped parking spaces in the vicinity of 344 Franklin St., 329 Walnut St. and 31 W. Third St. until Dec. 31, 2016, unless council terminates them sooner.

Council approved changing the borough cell phone carrier to Verizon Wireless as requested by Executive Secretary Sharon Trexler. There is no charge replacing the phones so there is no additional cost, according to Trexler.

Council briefly discussed an inquiry from AT&T about building a cell tower in or near the borough, possibly at the ball field on Walnut Street.

"There is a 16-acre lot at the park on Spring Creek Road of Jaindl's subdivision that could be developed and the borough could benefit," Zoning Officer David Kutzor said, suggesting offices could be built there in the future. Council briefly discussed this possibility.