Teri Sorg-McManamon was presented the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award at the June 15 Emmaus Council Borough meeting.

"The volunteers of our community give their time, their money and their talents and we want to recognize the people that are important to us," Councilman Nathan Brown said.

Dr. Michael Waddell, who presented the award to Sorg-McManamon said, "Little did we realize the reign of volunteerism we had released on this community," when they first hired McManamon to be on the Emmaus Arts Commission back in 2007.

"Teri is an unbelievable volunteer and she does more than many of us can do in a lifetime," Waddell said. "I remember when I interviewed Teri; I thought, this is somebody special."

Sorg-McManamon is currently serving as the president of the Emmaus Arts Commission, vice president of the Emmaus Commemorative Gardens Foundation and is on the executive committee for the Emmaus Main Street Partners.

"No volunteer does anything for thanks, that's not why we do things," Sorg-McManamon said. "I love this town so much and this means so much to me. This is so special."

The Volunteer of the Year Award was started in 2005 and is funded by the Commemorative Gardens Foundation. Candidates for this award are selected and awarded by council.

In other business, Mayor Winfield Iobst said the borough has received a large amount of letters and phone calls regarding the use of properly working crosswalk signs and speed limits being reduced. All of these calls and letters came after the death of 11-year-old Abigail Zukowski May 18.

Iobst said the borough needs to continue to be on the state police about the speed limit in Emmaus.

"I've known this for years, but there's too much traffic going through Emmaus and people are going too fast," Iobst said.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe added any member of council who receives a letter should forward a copy to him because the more letters they have, the easier it will be to provide a case to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on trying to get the speed limits lowered.

Council unanimously voted to apply for an automated red light enforcement program grant. This grant will allow additional flashing school zone lights on streets located by all schools within the borough. Pepe said this would be "the start of looking to improve [safety] in those areas."

Ordinance 1127 passed its final reading which will amend the code of ordinances relating to the borough's police pension plan.

Ordinance 1128 passed its first reading. This ordinance changes the definition and regulations relating to brew pubs and craft breweries to also allow distilleries and wineries.

Council voted 6-0 in not reappointing Scott Carter to the special entertainment commission. According to council members, the reason was there was "too much friction between members."

Council voted to offer conditional employment to Austin Thompson to be a borough police officer contingent upon his passing a physical examination, a psychological examination, completion of the requirements of the PA Act 120 certification and completion of a one-year term of probation.

April Schiel was hired as a part-time paramedic and Jonathan Al-Khal was hired as a part-time EMT.

In related business, council approved the updated ambulance policy and procedure manual.

The Emmaus Live Festival was approved contingent upon proper insurance and discussion of security with the police chief. This first time event will be held Aug. 22.