Alburtis Borough Council met 7 p.m. Nov. 23 via Zoom to talk over plans and precautions to combat COVID-19 amid the holiday season.

Alburtis Mayor Kathleen Palmer did not deliver a report.

Council moved forward to discuss whether or not to close the office due to the statewide spike in COVID-19 cases and Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home advisory. Council Vice President Steven Hill proposed council leave the decision to Borough Manager Sharon Trexler. Council agreed with Hill and Palmer informed Trexler she will continue to inform her with the latest news she receives about COVID-19 so “[Trexler] can stay updated...”

Council carried motions to accept the police report, fiscal consultant’s report and engineers report, approve meeting minutes of the last meeting and bills for payment.

Guest speaker Matthew Hook from Jaindl Farms and Land Development attended the meeting to speak about some issues encountered during the company’s tree removal operation.

Hook explained on Racite Road one homeowner placed cement pavers around a tree trunk.

“It becomes an [issue of] whether we can go in and mess with the pavers or not,” Hook said.

Council President Ron DeIaco voiced concerns over whether the borough might need to replace the pavers in question. However, solicitor David Knerr explained, since the homeowner placed the pavers there “that was his choice…he did that on his own.”

Knerr recommended someone contact the homeowner first to give the homeowner the opportunity to salvage the pavers. Hook said an attempt to contact the homeowner would be made the following day.

At the second location for tree removal, Hook informed council the crew could not fit the backhoe into where the tree root ball was located to pull it out.

“We tried to get the backhoe in to pull the root ball out and we were approached by the homeowner who didn’t want it out,” Hook said.

“There was a truck in the way, they didn’t want to move their truck…”

Hook explained he believed Trexler received a call about the misunderstanding. Trexler confirmed this.

DeIaco proposed Hook ask a police officer to “strongly suggest” the homeowner move their vehicle so Jaindl can remove the tree. Hook said he would call the borough police if the vehicle remained in the same spot.

Council next approved a request for a block party in June 2021 from Gold Alley to East Stone Alley for an event 2 to 10 p.m. as long as health conditions permit it. Trexler will write a letter informing the applicants about the request approval.

Trexler then presented two requests to purchase water from the borough from residents located on Chestnut Road and Mountain Road.

Knerr explained it would be no problem to serve the future customers.

“We can certainly serve – we’re supposed to serve out there – so, if they’re in the service area,” Knerr said. “…They have to pay a tapping fee and they have to pay the monthly fee just like everybody else… Never bad to get a couple of new customers.”

Council moved on to discuss the upcoming contract with The Sanctuary at Haafsville.

While the contract does not include a cap this year, council agreed to approve the contract.

“I think we should continue with the sanctuary,” DeIaco said. “They provide a valuable service to the borough.”

Trexler agreed, adding most of the costs come from residents taking in cats, which cost $50 as per the trap-neuter-release program, versus $100 per dogs.

While council expressed some concerns about lacking a cap on expenses this year with the sanctuary, most agreed to move forward with the decision.

“It’s still cheaper than the old service,” Stephen Kaufman, a member of council, said. “Like we discussed, let’s just up the budget to $800 instead of $500 and hope that covers it.”

DeIaco suggested evaluating the budget next year.

“Let’s see what it looks like without a cap for a year and then see what it looks like at the next budget meeting next year,” DeIaco said.

Trexler proposed tabling the decision about borough snow removal to the next meeting. Council agreed.

Trexler then informed council of the meeting schedule for 2021. Residents can find information about meetings, COVID-19 procedures and updates on the borough website and Facebook page.

Trexler also explained she is still working diligently on the COVID-19 grant form for the borough.

“It’s hard, I’m frugal…,” she said.

Trexler told council she did take their suggestions into consideration to fit into the grand budget.

“I have to have all the receipts…” Trexler said. “They reviewed all our budgets and told us what they did not like and what to stay away from. Honestly, I’m waiting to do all of it until December just in case we have a COVID-19 case that we would be paying somebody [workers compensation].”

Councilman Hector Vasquez inquired about purchasing at-home COVID-19 tests to “see if that’s a more viable option for [the borough]…”

Trexler explained she would look into it as long as it is safe for the tester and tests are available for purchase.

Council then resolved zoning conflicts and carried a motion to adjourn.