Emmaus Borough Council met March 18 addressing a short list of agenda items. There were no personal appeals from residents, no community minutes and no special presentations.

Council members reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous council meeting held March 4.

Communications were received and reviewed, including several event requests, volunteer applications and resignations. The alcohol sale requests for the Knauss Homestead Harvest Festival and Peach Festival were approved. The date of the harvest festival is Oct. 26 and the peach festival will take place Aug. 10. Gene Clock volunteered for the historical commission. This was sent to the committee level for review.

Resignations announced including Wayne Lawler from the arts commission. Council President Chad Balliet thanked him for his service to the borough. Wheelchair Transport Van Operator Aaron Biery sent in his letter of resignation, as it was announced he is moving away from the borough. EMT Leanne Ruch sent in her resignation from the emergency services department. The last letter of resignation received was from Assistant Borough Manager Sara Jarrett-Eaton.

The last item in communications was the approval of The Emmaus Run Inn Trail Running Film Fest Event. The approval was for alcohol sales. The event will take place May 16 at the Emmaus Triangle and Emmaus Theater.

There was no solicitor’s report and there were no items listed under unfinished business or new business.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert presented the mayor’s report detailing activities and engagements Jan. 2 through March 18. The list included a meeting with President Joe Biden Jan. 12 at the Mack Southside Fire Training and Academy. The mayor also issued several proclamations and oaths of office, which included the new EMS chief and an auxiliary police officer.

Committee reports were provided next, covering various aspects of borough operations.

In public works, approval was given for the retention of Tyler Llewellyn as a full-time Class 2 public works employee.

In public safety, council approved the hiring of Julie Niebell as the full-time police department data entry clerk.

A stage in the PFAS water treatment project was on the agenda in the budget and finance report. The Gannett Flemming Proposal for engineering services for the final design, permitting and bid phase services to support the borough’s plans to install per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances treatment for Wells 1 and 2 was approved unanimously. Additionally, the bill list totaled $740,385.91, dating back to the previous meeting March 4.

Two new members, David Biles and Kristina Seedorff, were appointed to the historical commission during the community relations, planning and development report. Their terms will expire Jan. 1, 2027.

Personal appeals, Part II, followed the committee reports. A co-owner of Nowhere Coffee spoke at the podium, directing criticism toward council for perceived mismanagement of the borough’s regulation of food services.

The borough manager’s report included the hiring of two individuals, Craig Godusky and David Vrabel, for public works laborer positions.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 6 p.m. April 1 at borough hall, 28 N. Fourth St.