Northampton Borough is becoming a model for intergovernmental cooperation, thanks to good neighbor policies that stretch from its borders and beyond.

Recently Whitehall Township public works personnel were paving the parking lot at Cementon Park and Playground when their paver quit working. Northampton's paver, which had not been in use, came to the rescue.

"I received a call from the township. We were able to help them out. They came with a truck to pick it up," Borough Manager Gene Zarayko said. Northampton was willing to provide an operator for the machine but Whitehall did not need one.

A month ago, Northampton loaned its bucket truck to the Borough of Coplay for the hanging of 70 banners all over town. The project took three days. Northampton has assisted Coplay in the past with hanging holiday decorations.

Northampton also regularly loans its band shell for events in municipalities including Lehigh Township, Hanover Township and South Whitehall. The other municipalities pay only for transporting the band shell. They are not charged rent for its use.

The fuel/gas pumps at the borough complex are used by Coplay, North Catasauqua and the Northampton Borough Municipal Authority. They pay for the fuel and a small charge for bookkeeping, thus saving money over what they would have to pay elsewhere.

The borough also cooperates with the Northampton Area School District, allowing students to park at the municipal lot and providing the recreation center in the event of emergencies.