At Bath Borough Council’s Jan. 2 meeting, two of the three applicants seeking a place on the zoning hearing board were interviewed. Council members were surprised to have three applicants for the position, prompting President Mark Saginario to express happiness to have an abundance of applicants.

Pamela Vogrin, Emmanuel Mirabito and Joseph Tavianni are all seeking the seat.

When asked by Councilwoman Cynthia Anderson why she is seeking this role, Vogrin stated, “I want to be more involved in the community. I feel it is time to give back.”

There was a question if she would move to change solicitors. Vogrin said she would have to learn if there were any issues before acting.

Councilwoman Carol Bear-Heckman asked, “What positive qualities do you bring to this position?”

Vogrin answered, “Bath is a great community. I’ve been here 11 years, and I am proud of my community. Bath has much to offer.”

Saginario asked if she could remain neutral in making decisions, particularly if a friend was asking for a decision from the board.

“When it comes down to making a decision, it would be according to the law,” Vogrin said.

Mirabito, a former three-term Bath council member and former Bath council president, was asked the same questions.

“I just want to be part of the community. I’ve done it in the past,” Mirabito said, in response to Anderson’s question of why he was seeking the role. Answering Councilman Mike Reph’s solicitor-related question, Mirabito said he did not know how to answer because it would not be his choice.

Responding to Bear-Heckman, Mirabito said he has deep community spirit.

To Saginario’s point, Mirabito said, “I would apply the law and follow any guidelines that apply to the decision.”

Applicant Tavianni was not present for the meeting.

The appointment is forthcoming.

Because of the December holidays, there was little to report from various committees and organizations.

In other business, a number of residents from Sleepy Hollow Road were present at the council meeting, seeking an update on the plan to have the roadway dedicated as a road in Bath. At issue is the fact that Bath has been maintaining the road for decades but never had it ordained as an official road. When the council wanted to do repairs and use state money to complete the repairs, the state said the funds could not be applied as the road is not official in the state’s view.

Some residents have requested the road remain a dead-end road. Saginario stated because the road is adjacent to East Allen Township, supervisors there can decide to make it an open road if they choose. At this time, Bath is not planning to make it an open road.

Tax Collector Debra Mills reported Bath has a 98.4-percent tax collection rate. She reported this is a high rate of tax collection, prompting Saginario to say, “I think we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

He thanked Mills for her efforts.

The next Bath Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the municipal building.