During the March 17 North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, Detective Stephen O’Donnell received an award from Crisis Intervention for his handling of a mental health situation involving a youth in October of last year.

Crisis Intervention said O’Donnell went above and beyond to establish a rapport and was able to get the youth to voluntarily seek an evaluation. The award was presented by police Chief Christopher Wolfer and Cpl. Steven Santiago. O’Donnell went to special training and is Crisis Intervention certified.

Borough council granted approval to Catasauqua Youth Athletic Association for the use of the baseball field 5-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, except when the field in is use for borough events and other park activities.

Secretary Tasha Jandrisovits announced a zoning hearing will be held 5:30 p.m. March 27 for the request of converting a church at 1021 Fifth St. to a duplex.

Another hearing will be held 5:30 p.m. April 28 involving the former St. Lawrence Martyr Roman Catholic Church, 1001 Second St. A request has been made to turn the rectory into a 20-person sober living facility.

In her report, Treasurer Tricia Tillman said rental inspection letters for the beginning of 2025 have been sent. These inspections are required every two years.

In other news, fire Chief Roger Scheirer reported Northampton and Lehigh counties are switching to a new radio system. North Catasauqua Borough will be switching its radios to be compatible. Council decided to move forward with the five-year, zero-percent interest bond offered by Lehigh County. Payments will start in 2026 at about $37,000 per year.

Each officer of the police department will receive a new radio, and each seat/active person in a firetruck will have a new radio. This is contingent on the financing review to make sure the borough can take on the debt. The borough solicitor will file a report with the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Council will move forward with placing the order for the radios, but the financing aspect will not receive final approval for a couple months.

In her recreation committee report, Councilwoman Michele Hazzard said the borough will continue its morning and afternoon summer programs. The YMCA will run the morning event, and the wiffleball game will be open to teens and adults once again. The start date of these programs has not yet been decided. The funds to pay for these programs is already allocated in the budget.

The renewals and positions for the recreation committee were also approved.

Also at the meeting, it was mentioned the borough is seeking grants for various constructions, repairs and updates. Council applied for an Local Share Account grant for a new firetruck and a roof repair. A temporary fix has been in place, but the borough is looking for a complete repair. It will be a big project, as it not only involves replacing shingles but fixing the actual structure.

The borough is also looking for grants to rebuild the volleyball court and replace the street sweeper.

An approval or denial notice of these grants will be received around September.

Council reminded residents that during the winter, there is not much that can be done about potholes. Public works will be fixing potholes, as funds allow, sometime in the spring.

Council also addressed residents’ concerns regarding police coverage in the Willowbrook housing development. Council said the police department has no authority to enforce speeding on these roads because they are private. The speed-limit signs are posted and enforced by the homeowners association. Services could be provided if the HOA and the borough make an agreement.

Council will next meet 7 p.m. April 7 at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St.