Alburtis Borough Council met April 30, advancing several personnel and infrastructure items during a brief but productive session at borough hall.

The evening began with an executive session 6:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

The public portion of the meeting was called to order 7 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilman Mehmet Birtek made a comment, stating he’s noticed there are some dead looking trees around Alburtis and asked if anything can be done about it.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer said municipal employees are addressing the most pertinent one at a time.

Council then welcomed Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong. He spoke to council about ongoing county initiatives and coordination with local municipalities, including Alburtis. He also spoke about the difficulties in obtaining governmental funding for some of the larger projects, which has been a long-standing issue.

Following Armstrong’s presentation, council unanimously approved the minutes from its April 9 meeting and authorized payment of all submitted bills. The bills totaled $73,551.

The meeting moved to Palmer’s report, which detailed the emergency shelter agreement with the East Penn School District. This allows Alburtis Elementary School to be utilized as an emergency shelter.

Council will vote on this at the next meeting.

Following the report, the council reviewed the fiscal consultant’s report, which detailed current financial conditions and budgetary performance.

In new business, council announced a request to fill a vacancy in the borough, contingent upon completing background checks and employment physicals.

This is to replace a retiring borough employee; however, the item was tabled for a further meeting.

Next, Alburtis Police Chief Tony Alsleben announced the hiring of Joe Koury as a part-time police officer was also approved, adding to the borough’s public safety resources.

Koury is a 24-year veteran of the Allentown Police Department.

The council reviewed and accepted the LTAP Technical Assistance Program report, which guides transportation-related improvements. This was an engineered study around Third and Walnut streets to qualify the area as a school zone. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation still needs to approve the report, so the borough can move forward with getting school zone lights or signage.

Alsleben added, “That area sorely needs improvements to markings and crosswalks for the kids’ safety.”

Following that, members approved a request to apply for the Automated Red Light Enforcement Grant to help fund the future traffic safety enhancements within the borough.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The next Alburtis Borough Council meeting is slated for 7 p.m. May 14, As a reminder, council meetings are held at Alburtis Borough Hall, 260 Franklin St.