During the Feb. 4 Bath Borough Council meeting, a resident commented about traffic congestion in the borough.

“The traffic is horrendous,” said Bath resident Nancy McGaughran. “There’s gonna be an accident, especially around rush hour. Something should be done. It’s every day.”

McGaughran’s statements were endorsed by many residents present.

Council President Mark Saginario replied that there is not much borough officials can do because the five highways intersecting Bath are state-maintained roadways.

“Write letters to Senator (Mario) Scavello and state Rep. Marcia Hahn,” Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito suggested. “We have done all we could. It is frustrating.”

It was mentioned that perhaps the large warehouse companies, the borough and elected leaders can develop a plan to raise the funds necessary to address the problem. Rerouting these state roads could be a possible permanent solution.

During Councilman Frank Hesch’s Nazareth Area Council of Governments report, he stated one of the main topics at the NAZCOG meetings is traffic. The proliferation of warehouses in the region is increasing truck traffic.

“I bring up the Bath traffic issues at every meeting,” he said. “Everybody gets the tax money, but Bath gets the traffic.”

In another NAZCOG matter, Hesch reported the animal control officer is working but is limited to addressing dog issues. There was discussion about having a mobile feline control to address the feral cat problem by instituting a trap-neuter-release program.

After traffic talk, a resident spoke up about the manner in which parking tickets are being written. He reported that his F150 pickup truck was in front of his house when he received a parking ticket approximately 1 a.m. on a recent Saturday. The borough office told him he received the ticket because of business printing on the vehicle. He countered, saying there is nothing in the parking ordinance that says lettering on a vehicle makes it a business vehicle.

Saginario explained the borough manager is writing the parking tickets because Pennsylvania State Police do not write parking tickets. The resident stressed there is no definition of a commercial vehicle in the parking code.

“How can you write a ticket without a clear definition of a commercial vehicle?” the resident asked.

Saginario said he wants to check with the solicitor.

Solicitor Blake Marles informed the resident he can appeal the ticket to the magisterial district judge.

In the mayor’s report, Reginelli-Mirabito reported the next neighborhood watch meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 6 at borough hall, 121 S. Walnut St.

She is also planning a meet-and-greet event with state police July 1 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of its policing services in Bath.

“Things are going well. The troopers are here,” she said. “All is good so far. Trooper Nate Branosky has been stopping in the school.”

The museum committee advanced its efforts to be open every third Saturday of the month. The group has liability insurance and will have a mailbox. Two council members and the mayor said they will assist with covering the four hours the museum is open. The borough insurance carrier wants an employee or elected official present when the museum is open.

Councilwoman Carol Bear-Heckman reported the Bath Farmers Market is opening May 17. There are plans to have a chef at the June 21 farmers market to cook a full dinner. The chef demonstration will be 3-7 p.m., with dinner served 5 p.m.

The fire department reported responding to four fires during January.

Councilwoman Phyllis Andrews reported the timetable for the next sanitation contract. Cindy Otis, sanitation consultant, will present at the March 4 council meeting. The bidding will be announced March 13, and the bid will be awarded by May 6. Saginario expressed concern that due to increased recycling costs, he expects a higher sanitation fee in the next contract.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 4 at borough hall.