At the Dec. 7 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council faced a decision regarding the borough’s police contract. After meetings with the police bargaining unit, the council police committee requested and received council approval of the labor agreement, spanning Jan. 1, 2024-Dec. 31, 2026.

The agreement includes a salary increase of 4.5% for each year. There was a reduction of pension withheld to 3% and includes a reimbursement of $155 for each unused sick day and incremental increases to retirees with more than 25 years of service. Some of the pension changes will require amendments to the pension ordinance and a resolution setting the borough’s contribution to the pension plan.

The public works and sewer committee met with the public works bargaining unit and received council approval of the agreement with nonuniformed personnel from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2026. The agreement provides a 4% increase for each calendar year.

The agreement allows the employee the opportunity to participate in a defined benefit pension plan or the defined contribution plan. Reimbursement of $105 for each unused sick day and an educational annual reimbursement of $1,500 for training in a field that would benefit their service to Northampton Borough.

Also, the defined benefit pension plan would be adjusted from 1.6% to 1.7%. This change will require adjustments to the pension benefit plans, including resolutions from borough council setting the borough’s contribution to the pension plans.

Council granted New Journey Community Church permission to hold its second annual Easter egg hunt at Municipal Park March 30, 2024. All fees associated with the hunt were waived.

At the last council meeting, Mary Ellen Handlon was approved for retirement Dec. 31. Council approved her new request to remain full time until April 15, 2024. This will ensure proper training for her replacement.

Council approved the Wheels on the Canal group to hold the sixth annual Wheels on the Canal Extravaganza May 18, 2024. This is scheduled on Armed Forces Day, with the event raising money for veterans charities.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst noted the 2024 draft budget contains a 1-mill tax increase. Brobst explained some reasons for the hike, including the purchase of a new police car and a bucket truck, MS4 costs and two additional public works employees.

Brobst reminded council the budget needs to be adopted at the next council meeting. If not then, it will need to be adopted by Dec. 31.

Councilman Anthony Lopszonski Sr. applauded Brobst for his work assembling the 2024 budget. Lopszonski said the tax increase amounts to about $58 to $75 per household. Other council members thanked Brobst for his earnest work developing the 2024 budget.

Councilman Kenneth Hall noted Mark Laub volunteered to serve as a trustee on the Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum board, according to the museum’s curator, Ed Pany. Hall added about 40 to 50 teachers plan to tour the museum Feb. 16, 2024.

Hall concluded his report reminding council the reorganization meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 2, 2024.

Councilman Trevor Stone reported Willowbrook Road would be closed Dec. 11-15 at the intersection with West Bullshead Road for the work planned on a water line. No traffic would be permitted in the area.

Mayor Tony Pristash commented on the abundance of Christmas spirit throughout Northampton. He thanked all who assisted in putting together the borough’s recent holiday tree-lighting ceremony.

The next council meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.org to view the meeting virtually.