The March 7 Hellertown Borough Council meeting kicked off on a celebratory note, commemorating the Saucon Valley varsity wrestling squad’s recent PIAA-AA state duals championship in a remarkable performance the weekend of Feb. 12-13.

Mayor David Heintzelman praised the team, whose members were in attendance and introduced by Saucon Valley Athletic Director Robert Frey. Heintzelman presented them with a proclamation and “mayor’s pins,” which he asked the team to “wear with pride.”

Heintzelman also took the opportunity to solicit applications for summer help at the borough’s Parks Department and Hellertown Pool. He lightheartedly encouraged the teens on the team to apply to either mow grass or participate in lifeguard training, the entire cost of which the borough is now offering to cover. “Before you leave here, you have two choices,” the mayor quipped: “swimming or lawn-mowing!”

In council business, the mayor was unanimously granted consent to partner with the Hellertown Area Ministerium on a candle lighting and prayer service for Ukraine which was to be held March 11 at the borough’s Clock Tower. The HAM is a consortium consisting of about nine area churches across several denominations.

Bob Pasternak, a local teacher, was invited by Heintzelman to speak on behalf of the Saucon Valley Community Center to request donations to help Ukrainians impacted by the Russian invasion of their country. The center, elementary school and retired teacher Vivian Demko’s residence will serve as collection points for needed goods and supplies.

Additionally, folks can submit monetary donations (in addition to material supplies) through Noelle Kramer at the Hellertown Area Library, Pasternak said, with checks payable to Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in West Easton.

Council member Matt Marcincin reported from the Hellertown Area Library’s Board of Trustees. He noted that Lower Saucon residents still have full use of the library as negotiations continue with the township council, which voted to essentially defund the library earlier this year.

Marcincin also promoted both an ongoing and upcoming fundraiser for the library. Giant gift cards, of which the grocery chain has offered to donate five percent of sales back to the HAL, can be purchased at the library.

Additionally, a portion of proceeds from a stout named ‘Dirty Tricks’ - brewed by the board’s Ken Solt - sold on St. Patrick’s Day at Weyerbacher Brewing in Easton will also benefit the library.