At the Alburtis Borough Council meeting Oct. 8, Solicitor David Knerr opened garbage contract bids from three of four bidders: Solid Waste Services, Inc. d/b/a J.P. Mascaro & Sons, Waste Management of PA, Inc. and Advanced Disposal Services L.V., Inc. The fourth bidder, Integrity Recycling and Waste Solutions, Inc. did not submit a bid. Representatives from Mascaro, Waste Management and Advanced Disposal Services were present for the reading. Council will award the bid at a later date.

Council passed a motion approving contractor Jaindl Land Co. to repave and paint lines on Church Street and Scenic View Drive up to Furnace Street in Lower Macungie Township. "This will make it a whole lot easier to plow this winter," Council President Steve Hill said.

Executive Secretary Sharon Trexler advised council the borough engineer, Ott Consulting, Inc., suggested the balance of what has not been used of the $100,000 for Inflow and Infiltration be put into a separate reserve account and increase the rates. Councilperson John Aleszczyk proposed these suggestions were not necessary because the rates are what they should be and not much has been spent. Council agreed no action should be taken.

The Environmental Protection Agency notified the borough it is now in compliance with requirements to eliminate the problem of I & I into the storm sewers from the MS4 reports.

Knerr reviewed with council the short term use agreement for rental of the sanctuary on the top floor of Lockridge Historical Church. Knerr suggested a few changes in wording, such as the facility be rented on a first come first served basis, Trexler should handle the rentals and proof of insurance should be submitted for businesses only.

Other suggestions included the historical society should remove its property from the sanctuary, there should be a bathroom available to renters and outdoor lighting should be improved. Council passed a motion approving the short term use agreement with the suggested changes.

Council agreed to have Dries & Reichard in Emmaus maintain the hot water system for $289 and passed a motion to use D & R oil priced at $2.94.9 a gallon.

Knerr advised council the borough received a check for $54,217.52 from the Commonwealth (state aid for municipal pension systems) for the police pension plan. He suggested depositing $50,168.48 in the police pension plan and $4,049.04 in the non-uniformed pension plan.

The borough will also contribute to the police pension plan in December after the compensation of the non-uniformed employees amount has been determined.

Knerr advised council he wrote a letter saying the borough is ready for arbitration with the police department to discuss the contract.

Council passed a motion to allow Knerr to remove Police Chief Robert Palmer from the union and bargaining.

"We will need an executive session on this," President Steven Hill said.

The meeting adjourned and council went into an executive session at 8:05 p.m.