With gusty winds swirling snow around the downtown area, Catasauqua Borough Council looked forward to the borough's summer program at its Jan. 5 meeting.

"We want to make a few changes to our Friday night concert series," said Councilwoman Jessica Kroope. Kroope's idea is based in part on the success of the 2014 Old Home Week.

"Opening night of Old Home Week was sponsored by the American Legion. With their funding, we were able to attract a popular band," she said. The event was held at the Catasauqua Park & Playground.

"The Legion sold food during the concert and recouped most of their upfront cost," she said. "We want to see if other organizations would be willing to help fund a night in the concert series."

According to Kroope, Jeff Miller, the borough's public works director, is contacting entertainers now to set up the concert schedule.

"If an organization is interested in sponsoring one of the evenings, we need to know now so we can include them in our planning," Kroope said.

Also at the meeting, the council approved a recommendation from its planning and zoning committee to move ahead with a contract between the borough and Spillman Farmer Architects to design the new municipal complex. As Councilwoman Christine Weaver explained, the details of the plan will be worked out in presentations before council and at public meetings.

"Planning and zoning will whittle the options down," she said. "Anyone in town is welcome to participate and can attend our committee meetings," she said. Any additions to the plans will be addressed as part of the approval process.

The borough will continue with its successful programs on the Iron Works site.

"Tentatively, we are planning an event on June 13 and 14," said Weaver. "It is a family event that will cater to all residents and guests." The early June timeframe is coordinated to kick off the summer season in the borough. This event at the Iron Works will build on the success of the last one.

"We had a lot of volunteer help at the last event," said Weaver, who had taken the lead at November's Iron Works Blast. Jeff and Cody Jaworowski put up all the lighting. The borough of Northampton supplied the stage.

"When I went down to the site the first time, I had a flat tire from all the metal lying around," she said. Tyler Zink took the initiative and cleaned up the parking area so no tires were punctured.

A diverse group of local businesses stepped up to volunteer their services at the November event.

"We will be looking for support from our local business community at this event also," Weaver said. "Thanks to the fire department and public works, we have a pretty clean site."

The idea behind the summer kickoff will be to outline where proposed buildings will be sited. The same team responsible for the November event will assemble to start planning the June festivities. Social media details from the last event are on the website www.ironworkscatasauqua.com. The borough will use the website site to promote the summer event.