Both before and during the June 1 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, council members expressed strong displeasure with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation performance in the Race Street bridge construction project.

Numerous unexplained construction delays, days when no work was done and an alleged general inattentiveness to local leaders prompted council to vote 6-1 via roll call to draft a letter expressing strong displeasure with PennDOT.

PennDOT reportedly declined a request earlier this year to attend a council meeting to explain why so many bridge construction delays occurred and to explain their plans to speed up construction.

After nearly three years of planned construction of the small span, the bridge is expected to open by June 4.

Councilman Brian McKittrick led the effort to write the letter to PennDOT. As the debate continued, other council members added to the strength of the complaint.

Although he voted for the letter, council President Vincent Smith noted there are other projects the borough will have with PennDOT in the future. Smith said sometimes diplomacy is a better way.

“You catch more flies with sugar than with salt,” he added.

Borough Manager Steven Travers said the borough received about a $9,100 grant for the purchase of freezers and refrigerators. A freezer and a refrigerator will go to Catasauqua Community Food Bank, while another set will go to Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church. Holy Trinity has played a large role in providing food to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travers reported employees of the street department tested positive for the coronavirus. All employees have recovered and returned to work. He noted the building has been completely disinfected.

Catasauqua Mayor Barbara Schlegel thanked Travers and the police and fire departments for their efforts in keeping Catasauqua safe.

“Our police are respectful toward all residents,” she said.

Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker reported most borough projects are on hold. Some, however, are in the works.

“The Iron Works project is chugging along,” he said. “I am happy to say we have an agreement of sale.”

The process moving forward includes a physical meeting to present the agreement. Then, in 30 days, council can vote on the agreement.

Engineer Brent Shriver reported the Lehigh Street project is also moving forward.

A new ladder firetruck is expected to arrive around April 2021, according to fire Chief Rich Hertzog. He noted the plan is to keep the old ladder truck for 12-18 months after the delivery of the new truck.

McKittrick reported space limitations in residents’ backyards will inhibit many residents from having small ornamental fires on their property.

McKittrick also noted there are plans to hire a parking enforcement person. This prompted Councilman Paul Cmil to ask if there was a need.

“Parking is amok (in Catty). The person will work boroughwide,” McKittrick responded.

“There are times when we get other calls. We don’t have time to enforce parking,” police Chief Douglas Kish added. “We have to mark tires. It is time consuming.”

It was also noted there are a number of homes that have no identifying house numbers. Smith suggested sending a notice with the monthly water bill to remind residents they need clearly marked house numbers.

The new virtual summer concert series received $230 for the food bank after the first concert May 29. A virtual concert will be held 8 p.m. every Friday. The concert lasts about an hour and is livestreamed on the borough’s website and on the concert Facebook page, facebook.com/CattyParkConcerts/.