Alleged impropriety by the city of Bethlehem with regard to trench-digging was discussed again during the Freemansburg Borough Council meeting Dec. 3. According to Public Works Chair Jim Smith, the vity has been opening streets for installation of water pipes and failing to properly re-pave. They also have caused traffic problems by blocking off roads without informing the Freemansburg Police.

“It’s obvious if you drive around that the city water department is very negligent in repairing the trenches,” said Smith, “It is up to us as council members and leaders of this community to do something about it.”

The council is working on an ordinance that will require Bethlehem to deposit funds with the Borough covering the cost to repair the street whenever they plan to dig a new trench. “Every other community charges them to open up their streets,” said Smith.

In other business, the following items passed by unanimous vote: approval of the 2020 budget (with one abstention); payment of monthly bills; purchase of a vehicle radio for Public Works; retaining a vendor to resolve possible root growth in underground water lines; setting 2020 real estate taxes at $16.26 per $1,000 of assessed value; and establishing a no-parking zone on part of New Street.

Council announced that the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection has finalized a Recycling Program Performance Grant to the borough in the amount of $1263 for the year 2018.

CodeMaster Inspection Services, the Borough’s vendor for commercial and residential construction projects, has published their 2020 fee schedule. Commercial inspection fees will be increasing, while residential will not.

The annual tree-lighting ceremony and kid’s party will be Friday, December 6 at the municipal park starting at 6 pm. Children who have pre-registered will receive a gift from Santa.

Council meetings will resume in 2020, starting with a reorganization session on Monday, January 6 at Freemansburg Elementary. This is to be the location of all public Council sessions until construction work on the Borough Hall is complete.