After nearly two years of discussion and planning, construction on Northampton Borough's uptown park has begun.

Weather permitting, borough public works personnel could begin work on the park over the next several months.

"The gazebo, along with materials for the retaining wall, has been ordered for the uptown park," Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Jr. said at the Feb. 5 council meeting. "The gazebo should be delivered mid-February."

The park will be located next to Taylor's Coffee House, a few steps south of the Roxy Theatre, and offer a mostly passive type setting.

The park is expected to enhance the uptown business district on Main Street. The farmers' market will return to the front end of the property for a third year.

In other business, Councilman Robert Coleman indicated there is a vacancy on the planning commission and two seats open on the UCC Board of Appeals. Interested residents should notify the borough administration staff if willing to serve on such appointed positions.

Also during the meeting, it was announced Essroc Cement Corporation, Nazareth, donated a $2,000 check to the Atlas Cement Memorial Museum. The five operating cement plants in the region make regular contributions to the borough museum.

Robert Baer, former borough fire chief and a member of the fire police, was named by borough council to a three-year appointment to fill a vacancy on the zoning hearing board of adjustment.

"Currently, the active ordinance states that we are using the 2003 property maintenance code," borough Manager Gene Zarayko said. "However, our building inspector has been using the 2009 code. Therefore, I would like to amend this ordinance so that we can legally use the 2009 code."