By an 8-0 vote, Northampton County Council decided at its Sept. 1 meeting to take the show on the road. The first stop, on Oct. 6, will be at ArtsQuest SteelStacks.

If all goes well, council will consider meetings in all four corners of the county.

In county business, council voted 8-0 to adopt a resolution opposing state legislation that will prohibit county recorders from charging fees when condominium association amendments are indexed against individual owners.

State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, prime sponsor of this legislation in the state House, decried what he calls the abusive practice of assessing recording fees on each unit of a condominium whenever a declaration is amended. He called it a matter of consumer protection and good government.

Caltagirone added that some amendments are recorded in order to comply with federal and state law.

But the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) counters that the indexing fee charged is the same fee that applies to anyone making a change to a deed. CCAP adds that it is more difficult for title searchers to be certain they accessed the full set of information related to that property.

Recorder of Deeds Andrea Suter also told council this legislation would open the door to special interests that would seek to have other recording requirements relaxed.

“Where does it stop?” she asked.

At meetings, Northampton County Controller Steve Barron has an opportunity to address council. He is often criticized, especially by fellow Democrat Ken Kraft, for being long-winded.

But Kraft congratulated Barron this night for having delivered the best speech of his career.

“No report!” Barron said.

Barron may be saving his voice for SteelStacks.

Executive John Brown and council member Bob Werner were absent.