Northampton Borough businesses and apartments will now be required to install Knox-Box Rapid Entry Systems.

At the Nov. 6 meeting, borough council unanimously approved the units for businesses and apartments with three or more units. The boxes contain secured keys which give the fire department and police access in the event of a fire or an emergency service call.

Property owners have a year to install the units. The Knox Boxes are available for purchase at the fire department.

"The fire department won't have to knock down the door in some cases to gain entry," borough Manager Gene Zarayko said.

The units are looked at as possibly saving lives as every second counts when responding to a fire alarm.

Zarayko said there are businesses in town whose owners have voluntarily installed a Knox Box by the entry door to the premises.

In other business, council approved the borough fire police's participation in the community tree lighting ceremony Nov. 30 at Main Street and Laubach Avenue.

Councilman Anthony Pristash, administration and finance committee member, also reported during the meeting the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum received a $1,000 donation from Lehigh Portland Cement Company.

Museum Curator and borough Councilman Ed Pany receives contributions for the museum on a continuing basis from the five operating cement companies in the region to support the area's cement heritage. Many company executives and employees in the area and abroad have toured the borough museum.