There was a tangible air of anticipation outside the borough building prior to the Alburtis Borough Council meeting June 10. A number of men stood outside on the sweltering tarmac, keenly inspecting a 2000 Ford F-450 dump truck with an attached snowplow and cinder spreader.

Borough council was auctioning the vehicle to the public. Workers, some still covered in the day's grime, filed into the council meeting room to hear the results of their bids. Twelve bids total were submitted, ranging from $3,000 to the winning bid of $11,200, submitted by Hendricks and Sons.

Borough Hall is currently without an operable generator, due to a faulty transfer switch. The generator stalled during the tumult of the recent storm, significantly hindering borough operations.

"Our guys were completely out of service," Mayor Kathleen Palmer said. "If they don't have power here, they cannot do anything in their vehicles. Nothing."

The generator dates back to 1972.

Borough council is planning on renovating Third Street between Main Street and Walnut Street. The project would involve milling and replacing the existing sidewalks.

Council President Steven Hill maintained hiring an outside contractor is the most cost-effective and time-efficient option. The borough is currently seeking estimates.

Homeowners along Third Street will have the option to hire their own contractor for sidewalk replacement, but have the option of a payment plan through the borough conditionally if they utilize the borough's approved contractor. A motion was carried to extend the issue to Aug. 31 to give homeowners more time to make a decision.

The boiler at Lockridge Historical Church is in need of repair. The borough is seeking estimates regarding parts and labor. Dries & Reichard Oil Co. has already provided an estimate just shy of $1,100 with roughly four hours of labor.

Council also received notice New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC d/b/a AT&T has withdrawn its conditional use application for a wireless communications facility in the borough, due to an inability to meet lease terms. Cingular originally requested 900 square feet for a facility for $2,000 per month. The company then tried to amend the agreement, requesting 10,000 square feet for $2,200 per month.

"I feel like the whole experience was a bait and switch deal," Councilman David Lehr said.

The Borough of Alburtis agreed to again participate in a program sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The grant programs are conditional based on Lehigh County's status as an "urban county." Lehigh County was first invited into the program in 2007 with a renewal process taking place every three years.