Emmaus Borough Council voted to reject all bids regarding the Nova Chip asphalt for North Street. Council decided to do the paving project in-house in May or June, 2015, with an estimated cost of $58,000.

"We were originally going to do Nova Chip," Councilman Brent Labenberg said. "Our concern is because of the heavy traffic all the busses and the trucks that go in there we didn't know how that would hold up, so we decided to go with the heavy two inch paving instead.

Labenberg said crews will finish sealing all of the paving already started and will prepare the pavement for the winter months while prepping it for the pave next year.

Council accepted two more street repair bids. The 2014 to 2017 bituminous seal coating bid was awarded to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions reaching a total of $67,500. The 2014 to 2017 street crack sealing bid was awarded to Dosch-King Emulsions totaling $37,375.

In other meeting news, Resolution 2014-40, which would establish bylaws for the Special Entertainment Commission, invoked a lengthy discussion by council.

Councilman Brian Holtzhafer expressed his concerns regarding the commission.

"I'm not sure what numbers are at this time, but income to expense this year is greater than a $6,000 loss on this commission."

Holtzhafer said council cannot continue to operate at a $6,000 loss on a commission and he isn't sure adopting bylaws for four out of nine members is the "smartest thing to do at this moment."

"I do have large concerns for a commission that lost $6,000 for a project I believe you can do in-house. I believe we have people working here that can schedule bands and pay bands."

Labenberg, whose wife is now the chairwoman of the Special Entertainment Commission, defended his wife by saying the bands were already booked when she became chair of the commission.

"The members that were put on the committee, and pretty much in their interview said they were pretty good at fundraising, only brought $100 in. That is not on her, that is on them who did not follow through on what they said they were going to do."

Labenberg said his wife is currently interviewing bands for next year and is trying to have all of them booked before budget season so the commission can move forward with knowing how much money needs to be raised.

Labenberg said to give his wife one full year as leader of the commission because everything was basically dropped on her lap when she became chairwoman.

"It's tough when you don't have committee members follow through on what they say they're going to do." Councilman Wesley Barrett agreed with Labenberg and wants to move forward with the committee. He said it was like starting over.

Ultimately, council unanimously agreed on passing the bylaws.

Before the regularly scheduled meeting, council held a public hearing on the application of liquor license number R-9300 being transferred from the city of Allentown to 187 Main St. in Emmaus.

According to Borough Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker, the borough is required to approve the liquor transfer request unless council makes a finding doing so would adversely impact the welfare, health, peace and morals of the municipalities or of its residents.

Council unanimously approved the liquor license being transferred.

A concerned citizen spoke briefly in front of council regarding getting a handicapped parking space in front of Borough Line Park by the baseball fields. He stated there was only one handicap parking space down by the other side of the park by the trails.

Council President Lee Ann Gilbert said council will look into the issue.

Mayor Winfield Iobst declared the week of October 5 to 11 Fire Prevention Week. Iobst encourages all Emmaus residents to test their smoke alarms once a month and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Emmaus fire and emergency services.

Iobst also declared Oct. 30 trick-or-treat night in Emmaus. All residents who want to participate should leave a light on outside their house.

Council passed Resolution 2014-38 which will allow full-time, part-time, seasonal, appointed and elected employees working for the borough to be eligible to receive a 50 percent discount on swimming pool passes each year. The discount will be eligible for both single rate and family passes.