At the Feb. 27 Alburtis Borough Council meeting, Mayor Kathleen Palmer reported she received a phone call from retired police officer Jay Ruff asking why parking was allowed on both sides of Walnut Street as he feared a child would run out from between parked cars and get killed.

Although it is difficult to pull out of a driveway, care should be taken, suggested Councilperson Vanessa Taggart and Police Chief Robert Palmer agreed adding parking is needed there and should not be taken away. Council decided no action should be taken.

Chief Palmer distributed a flyer he created for the residents of the Ridgeview development section of Alburtis because of complaints received about cars partially or completely obstructing the sidewalks when they park in their driveway. The problem is, when children are walking to school they have to walk into the street to get around the illegally parked vehicle and safety is an issue. The flyer explains and shows in three photos the legal and illegal ways to park in their driveways, according to PA Vehicle Code 3353Bii. Chief Palmer wanted to distribute the flyers and give a warning to offenders before giving them a ticket. Someone suggested it could be put in with the water bill mailing or a regular mailing. Council discussed the situation and decided, for now, Chief Palmer should use his own judgment.

Chief Palmer reported new signs were put up by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Penn Avenue at Quarry Road saying “No Trucks 1,000 feet ahead and beyond” and then a second sign saying “No Trucks Beyond this Point.” The trucks have no where to go so they have not been cited. Mayor Palmer suggested getting PennDOT personnel to come to a meeting and straighten the problem out.

Chief Palmer reported it will be a few months before the new police car is ready as Ford is not building police cars right now.

Zoning Officer Davis Kutzor brought up concerns he had about zoning use at Lot 9 and Lot 10 of Spring Creek Properties and the possibility of trucks parking overnight and leaving their engines running on Quarry Road.

In New York and New Jersey, parking lots are built where trucks can park and hook-up to electricity and other amenities overnight.

Solicitor David Knerr advised Kutzor a parking lot like that would be a different use and should be brought up.

Kaufman was also concerned about trucks parking overnight. Knerr advised there is a state law about trucks not being able to idle so the borough cannot do anything and Lower Macungie Township should be told.

Kutzor requested permission to dig in the bird sanctuary for a body and the Boy Scouts are going to help with the digging. He suspects where he wants to dig might have been a cemetery or graveyard and if it is, the law requires it to be maintained and treated as a cemetery.

Councilperson Kathleen Raines advised trained cadaver dogs were brought there a few years ago and found nothing. Then the same trained cadaver dogs were taken to the cemetery on Spring Creek Road and let loose and they immediately went to the graves. Council granted permission and if Kutzor finds a body, the police will be called.

Raines presented a bill from PlayPower L T Farmington, Inc., Monett, Mo., showing the cost for the new teeter totter to be purchased for the playground with a cost of $7,272.60, well under the $8,000 limit granted by council at the Feb. 13 meeting.

Council passed a motion approving a request from the Lower Macungie Fire Department to send a letter to Lehigh County Radio and let them know the relationship between the Alburtis Fire Department and the Lower Macungie Fire Department.

Borough Manager Sharon Trexler advised council that the Southwestern Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan meetings in Upper Milford Township will begin March 26 and she volunteered to be the staff liaison. An alternate liaison is needed so Sherryann Oels volunteered to fill the position.

Council passed a motion to hire the same two part-time employees who worked last year for summer mowing at $12 per hour.

Council passed a motion approving the meeting minutes of Feb. 13. A motion was passed approving the bills of Feb. 27 for payment. A motion was passed accepting the report of Chris DeFrain, fiscal consultant.

The meeting adjourned 8 p.m. and council immediately went into an executive session to discuss litigation and possible litigation. No action was to be taken.