Catasauqua Borough Executive Eugene Goldfeder has announced the cost of some street repairs planned for this year.

“The bid we received was below our budget estimate,” he said at borough council’s meeting Aug. 1.

The resurfacing program was awarded to Charles D. Herman for $29,400.

The repairs are for work to be done on School and 11th streets and also at the intersections of 12th and Race streets and 13th and Race streets.

Councilman Brian Bartholomew asked council to consider expanding the program based on the estimates. He suggested the borough include Cleveland Street in the program.

Goldfeder will take it under advisement.

Goldfeder set a date for refinancing the sewer bonds. Commercial bonds are often refinanced near the anniversary of their renewal. Most bonds have an interest rate increase scheduled at the renewal period, which is normally five years. The refinancing allows the borough to take advantage of lower rates. According to Goldfeder, this refinancing will save an estimated $90,000 in interest costs. A special meeting will be held before the workshop session Aug. 29 to approve the refinancing option.

Goldfeder also announced legislation is pending in the state House that would prohibit the adding of items to a public meeting agenda after a designated cutoff date. Any item not on the agenda before the cutoff date could not be acted on.

“This would limit our ability to bring up items that occur at the last minute,” he said.

The legislative action was proposed to thwart political actions to get legislation proposed and acted upon without time for public review.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel reported that Front Street restaurant Blondie’s is offering special K-9 cupcakes during August.

“A portion of the proceeds will go to funding our future K-9 program,” she said.

According to the mayor, there will also be a flea market benefit for the K-9 fundraising Sept. 10.

She also said the borough will have a remembrance Sept. 11.

Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker reported that he reviewed the findings of a lawsuit initiated against the property owner at 223 Front St. The owner of the property, which was damaged by fire and demolished, has offered to donate the lot to the borough.

There is a pending lawsuit against the property owner for a slip-and-fall incident, but Dinkelacker indicated there is sufficient insurance coverage to settle the suit.

The council passed a measure to accept the property. The vote was 4-3, with Councilmen Brian Bartholomew, Eugene Schlegel and Brian McKittrick voting against the measure.

The councilmen applaud the donation by the property owner but feel construction of a proposed overflow parking lot is not the highest and best use.