During the recreation committee section of the Jan. 6 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, Councilman Gene Schlegel questioned the plans for the swimming pool this year. Noting council is aware of the numerous challenges the pool has and the potential high cost, the tone of the debate was the sustainability and future viability of the pool. There was a reported leak at the pool, resulting in pool water draining at a rate beyond normal daily evaporation.

“The pool leak is not going into the creek. That was checked into,” Steven Travers, borough manager, said.

Travers noted the total cost of repairs and upgrades, if needed in 2020, is about $1 million.

President Vincent Smith said there are no urgent repairs needed in 2020.

“A lot of these repairs can be done over time,” he said.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel reported she recently met with state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, about state grants to assist with funding pool upgrades and found grants were available.

“CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) may also be available,” Smith noted.

Smith also reported the pool showed a profit of $6,000 last year.

Councilman Paul Cmil suggested the pool may not be an endeavor sponsored by the borough moving forward.

“The pool is a quality-of-life issue for the community,” Smith responded.

Cmil noted the borough could get a consultant to study the problems if it is a quality-of-life issue. The debate concluded with the realization that the pool issues will need to be addressed with a long-term plan.

In other news, council passed four resolutions, including the funding rate of the police pension plan, the senior citizen discount for early payment of taxes, retaining the Dimmich/Dinkelacker firm to collect delinquent taxes and an emergency proclamation regarding detours on Race Street.

In the public comments section, resident Amy Ahart spoke of the borough’s website, saying she believed it to be confusing and missing some agendas and minutes from previous meetings. This prompted Cmil to agree.

“We are aware of it and will address it,” Smith responded, thanking Ahart for speaking on the issue.

Robert Zakos Jr. asked council and the mayor to consider joining and/or attending the Catasauqua Area Lions Club meetings. Zakos noted the club dates back to 1972. They are in the process of revitalizing the club. He passed out fliers announcing an open house, scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Jednota Slovak Club (Slovak Center Social Club), 1223 Fifth St., North Catasauqua. More information is available by contacting Zakos at zakos78@gmail.com.

Another resident complained that a high volume of his neighbor’s leaves falls into his yard in autumn. He filled out a complaint form to the borough office but received no satisfaction.

A year ago, he said he raked up the leaves and placed them back into his neighbor’s yard. The neighbor called the police. Solicitor Jeffrey Dimmich noted the tree is a private tree, not under the purview of the borough. He also noted it is a civil offense to rake up leaves outside a property and place them in a different property.

Schlegel and Councilman Gene Schlegel suggested a Boy Scout and/or a high school student needing community service hours may assist in raking the leaves. The resident was asked to contact the borough office or the mayor for assistance. The resident was thankful for the suggested help.

Travers reported he received approval to seek state Department of Community and Economic Development grant funding for a study to learn what joint projects the borough’s fire department can link with other area fire departments. The last joint service study was more than a decade ago. If successful, there are no matching funds from the borough for this grant.

The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Jan. 27 at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.