At the March 7 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council made numerous appointments.

Kim Gehris, a Northampton Borough resident, was appointed to the zoning hearing board. Council also approved to have an alternate member appointed to the hearing board. An alternate would fill in if a regular member of the board could not attend a meeting.

Solicitor Stephanie Steward said council can appoint an alternate to the zoning board via a resolution to appoint.

Gehris introduced himself to council, supporting his application for appointment to the board. Gehris was asked by Vice President Ronald Glassic what interested him in pursuing appointment to the board. He replied he has had a small home remodeling business for about 30 years. He said he wants to assist the board.

Council also approved the hiring of Jonathan Kunkle to a laborer’s position in the public works department. The offer is contingent on successfully passing a physical and a drug test.

Council President Julia Kutzler asked why he wanted to work in public works. Kunkle said he worked in the past as a summer public works staff member and expressed his desire to work in the public works department full time.

Council approved the hiring of David Strain, of Hanover Township, Northampton County, to be the borough office bookkeeper. The offer to hire is contingent on passing a drug test and a physical. Strain will replace longtime bookkeeper Mary Ellen Handlin, who is planning her retirement.

In other business, the Vera Cruz Community Association received council permission to use the borough’s band trailer Aug. 18. The association was made aware the rental fee is not waived, and an insurance agreement rendering the borough harmless must be provided.

Councilman Kenneth Hall noted Allen Township Manager Ilene Eckhart informed council the Willowbrook Road bridge will remain closed until at least April 12.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said the annual borough Easter egg hunt is set for 1 p.m. March 24 at Municipal Park, Smith Lane and Laubach Avenue.

Haldeman reported March 1 was the opening day for resident park permits. She also noted the municipal swimming pool work has begun. A new diving board and a new waterslide will be installed this spring. Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst noted he does not anticipate a lifeguard shortage this summer.

Councilman Trevor Stone noted $9,190 was received from registration and inspections for the month of February. Code enforcement responded to 13 code complaints in February.

Glassic said a demonstration of a soft-dig machine was observed by public works and sewer leaders. A soft-dig machine is a complete unit that uses pressurized water to loosen soil around utility lines, which can then suck out soil with a very strong vacuum. Glassic added there is about $100,000 in the 2024 budget to purchase the unit this year.

Glassic also voiced frustration that utility companies do work in the borough and do not always repair sidewalks they damage. He suggested borough public works should make the repairs and send a bill to the utilities if they do not comply.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond reported the fire department has a number of needs at the station, such as another bathroom, a lounge area and greater security for the gear. She was delighted to report the number of junior firefighters has grown since the introduction of the annual junior firefighter training camp program, held at the department during the summer.

Junior Councilman Mason Smolenak reported the next installment of the borough’s Hometown Heroes program is proceeding. Mayor Anthony Pristash thanked Smolenak for his effort leading a Hometown Heroes program committee at Northampton Area High School.

Pristash said he recently spent a large amount of time on the D&L Trail. He said he spoke with 57 people on the trail and noted only 21 were from Northampton. Pristash said he spoke with the trail users and asked if they plan to visit Northampton businesses. He reported looking forward to the flowers and beautification of the trail that will attract more trail users and hopefully increase business activity in the borough.

The next council meeting is set for 7 p.m. March 21 at the borough municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com for access to view the meeting virtually.