The record snowfall which has occurred in the region this winter has led to a discussion by the Catasauqua Borough Council about how to improve its snow removal plans.

At the council's executive session Monday, several alternatives were discussed.

The problem, as identified by Councilwoman Deb Mellish, is that snow needs to be removed sooner because the limited open space between buildings is quickly filled.

Borough Manager Eugene Goldfeder said the goal of the removal is to get as much of the roadway uncovered as possible.

"They [snow plows] need to get close to the curb so the snow doesn't build up and restrict the lanes, even if that means that the sidewalks are covered," he said.

Goldfeder agreed that snow needs to be removed.

"That [snow removal] usually happens about two days after the snow," he said.

Solicitor Jeffery Dimmich noted that North Catasauqua faced a similar problem last year and elected to keep sidewalks clear along Howertown Road.

"The driving lanes are very restricted," he said.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel suggested the borough look into alternate-side-of-the street parking during emergencies, which would allow a portion of the street to be cleared. She said Race Street is still tricky, with cars parked between mounds of snow.

Mellish suggested a fixed fee be established to pay companies who applied for a permit to assist the borough with snow removal.

Councilman Brian McKittrick reported snow-covered streets had delayed garbage collection.

"Mascaro notified us that there were some alleys they just couldn't get through," Goldfeder said.

Council President Vincent Smith turned the matter over to committee for further discussion and asked for public input on how the snow removal process could be done more efficiently.

In a related matter, Catasauqua Fire Chief Richard Hertzog and the public works department, under Jeffrey MacHose, coordinated their efforts and use of equipment to make sure all of the borough's 140 fire hydrants were cleared and accessible.

Also at the meeting, Peach Street resident Charles Benicoff asked the council to investigate how deer could be restrained.

"They were pushed out when the airport put up their fence," he said. "Now they are all over, eating up bushes and gardens."

Benicoff noted that deer carry Lyme disease. According to Dimmich, deer are protected wild game and the borough cannot take unilateral action to cull the herd.

Benicoff said he will contact the state game commission

Smith said he will contact the airport to see if they have a program to deal with the problem.

In other business, Goldfeder reported the lid for the sewage plant digester will be raised into place.

"The UV (ultraviolet) light system is on line and operational," said Goldfeder. He indicated the chlorine feed is shut down and operational tests are continuing to make sure water from the sewage plant meets discharge standards.

Dimmich will present a special ordinance at the next council meeting that prohibits erecting a structure in the borough that could interfere with police emergency radio calls.

McKittrick asked that council incorporate an item on the agenda for the approval to hire a new police officer.

Several borough committees have vacancies, including the Civil Service Commission, which is seeking to appoint two alternates so that hiring decisions will not be delayed.

Anyone interested in serving on a board or committee should speak to the borough manager. Interested parties must be a borough residents who are not involved with another committee.