Freemansburg Borough Council presented a City of Bethlehem sewer rate increase at its Oct. 15 workshop, informing residents that in 2020 rates will rise from $122 to $125 per period (a yearly increase from $366 to $375 per unit). Residents who pay the full year during the first billing period receive a $15 discount.

They then announced a number of upcoming public events, starting with Trick-or-treat, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 pm.

The annual tree lighting and Kids Christmas Party at the Pavilion will be Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Parks & Recreation Chairperson Peggy Reichard thanked everyone who volunteered at the Fall Festival, and the borough is now booking food vendors for the 2020 event.

In regular business, council unanimously passed six resolutions ordering the following: payment of October bills, advertisement of the 2020 preliminary budget; reduction of the Police Pension Plan member contribution amount from 5 percent to 2.5 percent; acceptance of a proposal from Constellation to supply electricity to town facilities at a fixed rate for four years; creation of an account for hotel tax renewal project funds; and issuance of a general obligation note in the maximum principal amount of $1.2 million, pursuant to the Local Government Unit Debt Act, to fund renovation of municipal buildings.

Council member and Public Works Chairperson Jim Smith proposed to disallow Bethlehem to dig trenches in borough streets free of charge. “There’s water trenches that have not been taken care of, and apparently nobody’s making an effort to take care of them,” said Smith, citing Washington Street as an example, and adding all other contractors pay $70 to open a trench. “The trench is still cold patched, still a mess... just because we’re a small borough doesn’t mean we have to be taken advantage of.”

Smith also proposed a higher charge for digging in newly paved roads, and that the city should agree in advance to repair trenches by a set date and in a quality manner.

Council member Charles Derr said the city plans to replace the sewer line at Main Street and Lockhouse Road, an area Freemansburg repaved about two years ago and was asked to replace the sewer line prior to the repaving, but the city refused. Council plans to enact the proposed policy changes during its first meeting in 2020.

Freemansburg Council meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the municipal building, 600 Monroe St. Council workshops are held as needed on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 7 p.m. There remains a vacancy for a citizen member of the planning commission. Inquire at the borough office at 610-866-2220.