Hellertown Borough Council unanimously voted to approve the purchase of a large wheel loader for a price of $116,500. Last week’s budget session originally projected to make the purchase next year, however, after further discussion it was decided that the purchase could not wait with the upcoming winter season approaching. The Borough will trade in its current loader for $27,000. The model they are purchasing is a 2017 Case 621G XT. The Case loader is a multi-use heavy equipment machine with an operating weight of 27,903 with four rubber wheels and a large front bucket. The machine is primarily used for moving large amounts of material such as dirt, gravel and snow.

Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft gave updates to current projects underway.

Work on Hellertown bridges continue to progress. Contractors are currently working on a pointing project at the Front Street Bridge. This work, which consists of maintaining and replacing old masonry in stonework, is almost complete.

Curb and sidewalk improvements on Hellertown streets including Northampton, Delaware and Rentzheimer are continuing. With good weather, the borough hopes to have the improvements completed this fall.

The Water Street Pedestrian Bicycle Safety Project plans to replace the current advanced warning flashers shared with the Heller Homestead crossings. The current flashers will be replaced with rapid flashers. Lower Saucon has agreed to pay for the flashers and will have them in place for next year.