North Catasauqua Borough Council members discussed the drafting of an ordinance for requiring the installation of a Knox Box on some buildings in the borough.

Fire Chief Sean McGinley sought borough approval of the system at an earlier council meeting.

Solicitor William McCarthy, who will be called upon to draft the ordinance, opened the discussion.

"What type of building do you want them installed in?" he asked.

A Knox Box is secure key box placed on the exterior of a building which allows emergency personnel to access a key or keys inside the box using a master key, when a building or business owner cannot be reached. The door key can then be used by firefighters for immediate entry.

Access to a commercial property is often difficult when the business owner lives off the property and cannot be reached to unlock a door.

Proponents of the system say its use avoids delay in accessing the interior of a building and prevents having to break down and damage a door when, in many cases, firefighters learn they have been responding to a false alarm.

The adoption of an ordinance would mean each affected building or business owner would have to pay an estimated $250-$350 for the purchase and installation of the box.

"If you adopt it, you should give people a timeline to comply and for the fire company to set up the system," McCarthy said.

Councilman Peter Paone expressed concern for the cost to small business owners in the borough.

"I'd rather have it be voluntary instead of enforced," he said.

Council President Joseph Keglovits indicated if firefighters had to break down a door for access, the cost of replacing the door would be more than the cost of the secure key box.

Bill Nothstein said more factual information is needed from the fire department about how most effectively to make use of the system before the ordinance can be drafted.

Councilman Peter Paone said there have been problems in the past when police and emergency personnel have not had access to a building.

Councilman John Yanek said when this occurs, it becomes a liability for police and firefighters who respond.

"That's what's driven this more than anything else," Paone agreed, but indicated he is hestitant to require all businesses to pay for the sins of a few. "I don't want to get into the business of killing a fly with a sledgehammer. If there's two or three problem areas in the borough, I'd rather have it be voluntary rather than enforced."

Council persons expressed concerns about requiring the expense for small business owners.

Nothstein said input from the fire department and business owners should be asked for comment.

"We don't have the answers to make this decision," he said.