The Dec. 14 meeting of the Alburtis Borough Council began with Alburtis Mayor Kathleen Palmer thanking everyone who took part in the third annual Alburtis Holiday Festival, which was a major success. The festival raised $5,500 this year compared to $700 raised in its first year.

The next topic discussed was Ore Alley. Terry Bender, who represented the applicant, asked for permission to close Ore Alley between Stone Street and Front Street. Bender offered to add an easement to acquire any utilities and allow the driveway and road to be expanded to allow parallel parking.

Council talked with Bender about how to guarantee traffic would not go down the alley. One suggestion was the installation of a split rail fence to prevent Alburtis Tavern patrons from entering Ore Alley. The applicant felt the traffic in the area should enter and exit the parking lot through Front Street. Borough council voted 2-1 to table the discussion.

Borough council approved a motion to advertise both the 2017 meeting dates and the 2017 budget.

Next discussed was a correspondence from Lower Macungie Township. The correspondence had to do with a proposed amendment granting a limited township and municipal authority exemption. Existing or proposed uses and structures owned or used solely by the township would be exempted from the requirements of the zoning ordinance. Council had no comment on the correspondence.

The Macungie Ambulance Corps submitted its monthly report for November. Of the 313 total calls for service the Macungie Ambulance Corps responded to in November, eight were in Alburtis.

The Alburtis Borough Council will hold its two January meetings Jan. 11 and 25, 2017. Barring any holidays, the borough council meets the second and last Wednesday of each month. Meetings begin 7 p.m. and are held at Alburtis Borough Hall, 260 Franklin St., Alburtis.

Alburtis Borough Hall is accessible to the physically handicapped. Residents needing reasonable accommodations for a disability should call 610-966-4777 to make arrangements.