Catasauqua Borough Council listened to several ideas that will continue the marketing effort for the Iron Works, the borough's property along Front Street, at the Sept. 29 meeting.

Kimberley Brubaker, in her role as graphic artist, presented council a logo for approval. Brubaker showed some ideas of how the logo could be used including superimposing the logo on old artistic photos that had a dramatic impact on the versatility of the design. Councilman Brian Bartholomew asked if a canal boat could be worked into the design.

"The canal boats really kicked everything off. Without them there would be no industrial development," he said.

Brubaker said she will look into how the canal boats can be incorporated.

Howard Lieberman, executive director of the Whitehall Township Industrial & Commercial Development Authority, asked council to consider an intermunicipal agreement that would allow Catasauqua, Coplay and Whitehall to participate in developing distressed commercial property using the Community Revitalization and Improvement Zone.

The borough looked at this option before, but the requirements of the program precluded participation by multiple municipalities.

"Changes to CRIZ are being incorporated and are winding their way through the legislative process in Harrisburg," Lieberman said.

One provision of the CRIZ tax abatement program is that a public hearing be held prior to participation. The meeting on Sept. 29 satisfied the requirement for Catasauqua.

According to Lieberman, Coplay and Whitehall will hold public hearings next week.

Councilwoman Christine Weaver proposed the borough hire Taggart and Associates as marketing consultants for the Iron Works.

"They [Taggart] were instrumental in getting the Silk Mill up and running in Easton ... Now that several similar projects are done in the Valley, we have organizations like Taggart with the contacts and experience to move this project along," she said.

The contract is structured as a retainer agreement rather than a traditional contract.

Councilman Eugene Schlegel clarified that the borough is not required to expend money on Taggart.

As Weaver indicated, the contract contains a list of resources available from Taggart and a rate schedule. If the borough wants to contract for a specific project, the rate schedule would determine the invoice. Taggart would be the preferred vendor for services listed. Although there is a cap on the contract of $20,000, every expenditure must be approved by council.

Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker will look into the details to insure that the agreement is legally valid.

Council supports a part of the effort to promote the Iron Works site by developing a signature cocktail drink called the Iron Works Blast.

Recipes can be entered on the Iron Works Facebook page. The drink is scheduled to be introduced at the inaugural party on Nov. 9.

In other business, Councilwoman Jessica Kroope encouraged council and residents to attend Fest-O-Fall scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 4, starting at 11 a.m.

Turnout for this annual fall celebration has increased every year. Activities will be in the historical district, at the George Taylor House and along the Front Street business district. All the events are tied together with a hay ride.

Family activities are scheduled all day long. Food and beverages are available at the food tent and at local restaurants.