"They put up 'No Parking' signs on Church Street," spoke one very adamant Deena Rohrback, a Bethlehem resident. "I lived there 25 years. I don't know why they were put there."

The April 6 Fountain Hill Borough Council meeting was unusually packed and the audience had plenty to say. Residents were not warned of a sudden planting of "no parking" signs on multiple streets around Moravian ES, and they now can no longer park in front of their own homes.

In response to Rohrback, Council President Larry Rapp could merely reply that he'd only been informed of the change the previous Thursday; April 2.

Chief of Police Ed Bachert had more information on the subject, however. He explained that since the Moravian Academy owns the street, the school board decided to cut off parking to ensure easier traffic flow for buses and students. The parking situation is experimental and temporary.

But this explanation did not soothe anyone as Rohrback demanded to know, "Why are we being penalized?" Council quickly sought to quiet the commotion by making an adjustment.

"Let's make the signs from 8-4 on school days only," Rapp suggested, a compromise he later tried justify by saying, "we're trying to work it out to suit everyone."

Council member Carolee Gifford added, "We're really trying to avert catastrophe," and said student safety trumps traffic concerns.

While that may be a just cause, said Albert Rohrback, standing beside Deena Rohrback, "It's not gonna help. It's just gonna create more congestion. Tell the school to create more parking space!"

The issue remains unresolved.

On the subject of street repair, many a needy roadway will have to go without as a new Community Development Block Grant will only restore Russell Avenue. Though it's not as plagued by crater-sized potholes and shredded to bits by Jack Frost as are other streets around town, it is the only street that meets regulations, such as homes with wheelchair ramps and residents living beneath a certain level of income.

"What do they consider 'low income,' I wanna know!" council member Helen Halleman interjected, upset by the dozens of neglected roads.

"How are we gonna do the other streets?" asked council member Philip Trabel, to which Halleman sarcastically replied, "The money tree."

Council member Fred Capuano said, "Lots of streets need repair. There are water main breaks, holes all over the world. We're going to do the best we can." He added, "Mother Nature does what she does best. You can whine all you want."

In older business, a tabled appeal for a handicapped parking space made by Maria Melendez at the March 2 meeting was readdressed. Also readdressed were some hard feelings.

"I did go down [to look]. I went across the street. There has to be a spot," Capuano said, having made the effort to solve the resident's parking issue.

That's when Council member Douglas Trotter Jr. asked Melendez, "How do you feel about Clewell Street?"

Vice President Norman Blatt acknowledged to the applicant, "It's right around the corner."

Melendez, standing in the audience, quickly said, "We accept."

Just when the matter seemed to be finished, Halleman exclaimed, "I don't understand this! She can shovel, but she needs designated parking?"

Council and Melendez went back and forth in a sudden argument about the woman's physical abilities when Gifford angrily retorted to Halleman, "Who died and made you doctor?" Immediately, Capuano sought to quiet the onslaught of words and finished the discussion, declaring, "We need to pass a motion." And the motion at last was passed, granting Melendez a handicapped parking sign on Clewell Street.