Members of city council voted Sept. 15 to approve the restoration of Fahy Bridge, which will include PennDOT improvements to New Street and installation of a sidewalk and lighting. Once the sidewalk is complete, the city will be responsible for routine maintenance.

Also, council members considered a proposed lease agreement with the Friends of Bethlehem Mounted Police, which will be voted on at the Oct. 6 meeting.

The proposal would include the mounted police using land south of Illick’s Mill in Monocacy Park, with eventual construction of a facility to house horses and horse trailers.

According to the proposed lease, the Friends of Bethlehem Mounted Police has a mission to support and promote the City of Bethlehem’ s Mounted Unit.

The group seeks to promote public safety and security, improve civic pride and raise awareness of the Bethlehem Mounted Police and to enlarge and strengthen the services of the City of Bethlehem Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit.

Resident Linda Freedman expressed concern about the impact of horses in the park. The proposed area, below the ice rink, is near a nature trail and is a habitat for butterflies, she said. “There are better places,” she said. “Please don’t take this space away.”

The area is also near a traditional sledding hill, which could be affected by the construction and storage of horse trailers. “I’d hate to see that come to an end,” Freedman said.