Bath Borough Public Works Department personnel were lauded at the Feb. 19 council meeting for their recent snow removal efforts.

"They worked 12-hour shifts," council President Robert Fields said.

Fields said despite some public complaints, public works personnel did a good job. The first priority was to clear the snow from the main streets; the second was to ensure the safety of the public and public works personnel.

Resident Joe Tavianini Jr. questioned why the Water Authority removed snow that should have been done by the Public Works Department.

"The dump site is a quarter mile," Tavianini said. "The sides of the streets needed to be cleaned up."

According to borough Manager Thomas Petrucci, public works personnel were in need of assistance.

"We don't have large trucks," Petrucci said. "The borough has to compensate for only one area loader and it cannot fill it fast enough. We need the help of the Water Authority."

Petrucci suggested the borough look in to obtaining a larger dump truck.

"After the snow falls, our guys [Public Works] have nothing to do," Tavianini said. "They do a little part here and there."

Petrucci said the borough must be cautious when using its equipment.

"Our equipment requires maintenance to function. We don't have PennDOT equipment." Petrucci said.

Petrucci noted a hydraulic line broke off the truck and a cylinder had to be repaired. Also, he said, a plow was damaged and the municipal snow blower was not working properly.

"After the first snow storm, two more came down," Fields said. "They [Public Works] did a hell of a job."

In other business, Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito presented a report to council on prospective planned projects. Reginelli-Mirabito said she would like to see a borough Facebook page created, which Petrucci would administer and oversee. Reginelli-Mirabito said many other municipalities have social media accounts.

Reginelli-Mirabito also presented a tentative schedule of events to be held during the month of October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including Oct. 4 as pink heals tour with pink fire trucks; Miller-Keystone Blood Drive and all-pink pets parade; Oct. 11 as pink 5K run/walk; Oct. 18 as aerial photo of human ribbon – all colors; and Oct. 25-26 as a pink auction event.

Each prospective event has a committee chairperson to coordinate the function, Reginelli-Mirabito said.

Councilman Michael Reph commented he wants Reginelli-Mirabito to "ask permission from council" before scheduling any events.

Reginelli-Mirabito said she wants a policy developed directing the mayor to request permission from council to proceed forward. According to Petrucci, there are no current protocols directing what the mayor can and cannot do.

"The Mayor's proactive approach are to enhance the borough," Councilwoman Kathryn Roberts said.

Also, council approved creating a bank account for proceeds received from activities. Council also approved closing Poplar Street for the pink pets parade.

In other business, Councilwoman Jennifer George and Councilman Michael Reph were appointed as assistant emergency management coordinators.

Resident Marlene Talaber was also appointed to the Bath Planning Commission. She will fill the position of late board member and former Councilman Joseph Linsenmann.