Should the Northampton Area School District have to evacuate one or more of its schools in the borough because of an emergency situation, students would be taken to the borough recreation center on Lerchenmiller Drive.

Borough Council at Thursday's meeting approved a request from the schol district asking for permission for access to the recreation center "as a temporary mass shelter." Borough Manager Gene Zarayko informed council the borough had allowed the recreation center for such a use by students in event the students were required to leave the school. Insurance will be provided by the school district as part of the agreement.

In other business, as recommended by the police pension committee, council voted in favor of a 1.5-percent cost-of-living increase for retired police officers, effective Jan, 1, 2015.

"There would be a cost to the borough in the amount of $22,150, which would be payable in 2016," Zarayko said.

Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr., a retired borough police officer, abstained from voting on the pension matter.

In another financial matter, Councilman Robert Coleman, administration & finance committee chairman, reported the borough "finally" received its recycling performance grant funds from the state for 2012. The amount received was $15,277. Although it was two years late, he said better late than never.

The Atlas Cement Museum account recently was boosted by $1,000. Councilman Ed Pany, museum curator, received the grant from Lehigh Cement Company. The museum was opened for a tour by school district administrators and Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik. The museum, borough and NASD have partnered in several programs and projects on a continuing basis.

Also at the meeting, Jason Kremus' anniversary as recreation center director comes up Aug. 2, Zarayko said. Kremus will be entitled to a pay raise, which was not specified.

Lopsonzski lauded Kremus, who has initiated several new projects in his first year – a boot camp program, new fitness equipment and casino bus fund raisers. The 5-K race has been slowly losing ground, and is not expected to return.

However, the popular youth dances on a Saturday evening should make a return. The center always has a call out for more adult chaperones for the dances.