Albert Eisenberg spoke at the Nov. 16 Emmaus Borough Council meeting as a representative of Pennsylvania Competes, which is an organization dedicated to “protecting hardworking lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pennsylvanians from discrimination.”

“A gay man can be fired in the borough, or Lehigh County, because we don’t currently have existing protections for gays and transgender people in the state of Pennsylvania,” Eisenberg said.

“I’m coming to you with a non-binding resolution which encourages your local representatives Justin Simmons (state Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st) and Lisa Boscola (state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th) to vote for the measure,” Eisenberg said. “It voices Emmaus’ support as a borough which prides itself in diversity and where gay and transgender people are welcomed.”

Councilman Brent Labenberg said of the 20 years he has been a member of council, he has not been aware of any situation where there had been any kind of discrimination.

“I understand you want to have laws protecting, but there’s never been an issue in the borough.”

Eisenberg noted while that was great to hear, this law (Pennsylvania Fairness Act) would just be a “legal framework to provide nondiscrimination protection from claimants who have been discriminated against.”

Borough Solicitor Jeffery Dimmich said Eisenberg’s ultimate request “is to have council voice their support through their representative to vote in favor of an amendment to the human relations act.”

The issue was passed along to the General Administration Committee.

Jack McSurdy, of 347 S. Second St., addressed council regarding a feral cat problem.

“A couple of my neighbors are feeding the feral cats and their pleasure is turning into my pain,” McSurdy said. “They are turning my yard into a toilet.”

McSurdy said he finds it rather offensive and unfair he has to put up with somebody else’s passion they don’t control. He said there are anywhere between eight and 14 cats being fed.

When Borough Manger Shane Pepe asked McSurdy if they could put traps in his yard, he replied, “You can do anything you want. You can put a minefield in my yard.”

When Council President Lee Ann Gilbert suggested the Haafsville Sanctuary, Councilman Roy Anders, who is McSurdy’s neighbor, spoke up.

“They actually did come out and attempt to trap two to three months ago and had no luck,” Anders said.

Pepe said part of the problem is the neighbors continue to feed the cats.

“There are so many of the neighbors feeding the cats that one or two traps will not do much.”

Dimmich mentioned there are organizations who feed cats a form of birth control and within a year or so they are all gone. He said he was part of a borough that used this method and it worked out great.

Barrett noted to McSurdy this issue has been brought up multiple times.

“Don’t feel like you’re the only person and you may not have gotten an overly strong reaction,” Barrett said. “We certainly do care...it’s not falling on deaf ears.”

In other business, council unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with a private organization to set up, configure, develop, train and provide services required for online and electronic payment of bills.

Councilman Nathan Brown was very fond of the idea of allowing residents to pay for their bills and fees online. “We’re finally getting there, we can pay online.”

Councilman Roy Anders noted this will be a great help to borough residents, as they will be able to pay for fees in the comfort of the their own home rather than rushing to the borough offices to make sure they arrive before the offices close.

Council voted 7-0 in favor of the Recycling Grant Resolution which will allow the authorization for the borough manager and public works director to apply for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Act 902. This would allow the borough to attain a wood chipper, leaf vacuum and sweeper vacuum to “improve and enhance” the brush, tree and leaf collection in Emmaus.

Michael Hoffman was officially voted off the planning commission in a 7-0 vote. Hoffman, who was given a formal 10-day notice, has not been to planning commission meetings in months, nor has any member of council heard from him after trying to be in contact with him numerous times.

Ordinance 1132, which will allow a residential handicapped parking sign in front of 348 Broad St., passed its final reading with a 7-0 vote.

Council approved 5-1-1 to allow the Old-Fashioned Christmas to be held in Emmaus Dec. 5. Brian Holtzhafer opposed and Wesley Barrett abstained.