Borough council members continued its fight against the novel coronavirus during its June 6 Facebook Live meeting, unanimously voting to extend the local disaster emergency until Sept. 8 as well as upholding a May decision to keep the Fountain Hill Park closed.

Despite pushback from some community members who said Fountain Hill is one of the only communities in the Lehigh Valley to not open parks, council remained adamant to act in the best interest of its residents to stop the spread of the coronavirus, they said.

Council discussed the possibility of opening the park with “play at your own risk” stipulations as well as other cleaning procedures and regulations to keep members of the community safe. In the end, council decided against opening up the park.

Council President Leo Atkinson said the borough will put snow fencing around equipment to block it off; there will be a sign to indicate the closure of the park and that borough police will keep an eye on the area.

“It might not be the most popular decision, but I think it is in the best interest of our residents,” Atkinson said.

Mayor Carolee Gifford and councilwoman Annamarie Davenport Jordan echoed that sentiment, each expressing concern over opening the park in the interest of the health of their residents.

The disaster emergency, on the other hand, was extended without much discussion. Council members all felt that extending the disaster protocol was an easy decision in order to continue its protocols against the coronavirus.

The initial emergency, which was enacted March 20 and signed by Gifford, authorizes the borough to take all appropriate action in the fight against the coronavirus. Such actions may include the restoration of public services, the employment of temporary workers, purchase of supplies and materials, rental of equipment and entering into contracts and agreements for public work that could be required to meet the emergency.

“There’s nothing to be lost by continuing it and everything to be gained,” Gifford said.

Council also unanimously voted to approve Stew McCandless to take the vacant position on the Stormwater Board, with the exception of councilman Phil Trabel, who abstained from voting.

Trabel had also put his name in the running for the position, but there was concern over having all three Stormwater Board positions being filled by council members. McCandless then became a clear choice.

There was one motion on the night, in which the Board unanimously granted Graver Industries the CDBG contract to reconstruct Stanley Avenue from North Bergen Street to North Hofert Street and North Hoffert Street from Stanley Avenue to Jeter Avenue. The amount approved was for $240,975.

Absent from all decisions was councilwoman Helen Halleman, who was asked to leave prior to the start of the meeting for refusing to wear a mask. Halleman serves as the chair of the health and sanitation committee.