At the suggestion of Police Chief Robert Palmer, an orange sign reading "New Traffic Pattern Ahead" will be posted at Church Street and Scenic View. Council approved the suggestion Aug. 27 as orange is more visible and drivers should be able to see the sign.

In other police news, council approved a request from Mayor Kathleen Palmer and Chief Palmer to apply for a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant for the purchase of two thermal imaging cameras.

"It helps for finding lost people and kids," Chief Palmer said. "Shine it in the woods and you can see them. Fire departments use them also."

Chief Palmer also informed council he received five used computers from Muhlenberg College which were donated to the department. They are newer than the eight-year-old computers the department has now and should last a couple of years.

Answering a question from Council President Steve Hill about the condition of computers in the patrol cars, Palmer said they will have to be replaced in a couple of years.

In other business, Mayor Palmer presented awards to East Penn Press writer Loretta Fenstermacher and editor Debbie Galbraith.

Presented were certificates of appreciation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association for providing support in community crime prevention and certificates of recognition for supporting the Alburtis Police Department in crime prevention.

Council discussed the per capita tax in Alburtis and the capture of data of residents who are 18.

Everyone, 18 years of age living in Alburtis, is required to pay per capita tax in Alburtis. In the past, Executive Secretary Sharon Trexler has relied on the school district to notify the borough of those turning 18. Trexler has contacted East Penn School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Schilder and is waiting for his reply.

Council will hold a special meeting regarding residents' mailboxes at borough hall 7 p.m. Oct. 15.

"Someone should be here from the post office because they are the ones who we have to address," Councilperson Sherryann Oels said.

"It's up to the municipality to establish guidelines," Councilperson David Lehr said. He advised council information received from the United States Postal Service shows the issue is the box and the post and how far into or above the ground the box and post should be. Council is also concerned with and will be discussing multi-dwelling buildings and apartment buildings and whether or not mail carriers will get out of their vehicles to fill cluster boxes.

The borough maintenance department informed council the dump truck needs to be replaced and a new truck will cost about $55,000.

"They need it, it's a work horse," Hill said, but he does not want to take out a loan.

"It's better to just buy a new one," Councilperson Kathleen Raines said.

Hill asked Trexler to get prices for new and used dump trucks by the next council meeting.

Council briefly discussed the problem of garbage being put out when it is not supposed to be, or left on the sidewalk when it is not picked up. "Letters have been sent and are still being sent," Trexler said.

The borough's current garbage collector does not recycle electronics, including televisions.

The Alburtis Fire Department will have its community yard sale and soup sale 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13. That same day, at the fire company, the borough is holding a free electronics recycling day 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a charge for some items. Council adjourned and immediately went into an executive session about property acquisitions. No decisions were expected.