At the May 12 Bath Borough Council meeting, council approved a motion to start an ordinance process and tabled another possible motion to produce borough maps.

Borough Solicitor Patrick Armstrong noted council needs to understand that this process is complicated and involves other entities for input and review of the maps before the map can be officially approved by council. It was noted the proposed map and ordinance are completed.

Armstrong explained the next step is for the approved map to be sent to surrounding municipalities and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for review.

The reviewers have 45 days to complete their review and to offer any suggestions.

“It is complicated,” Armstrong noted.

Local maps are crucial for various reasons, from helping people navigate their surroundings to informing local governments and businesses. Local maps provide visual representations of spatial information, aiding in understanding of land use, infrastructure and community resources.

Local maps also play a role in urban planning, emergency response and understanding local history and culture. Council passed the motion.

A second map consideration occurred when council President Frank Hesch asked for a vote authorizing the solicitor’s office to proceed with a draft ordinance to adopt a revised zoning map and overlay districts. This map’s complexity was analogous with the official borough map process.

Armstrong pointed out the ordinances governing the current zoning and overlay maps don’t match up because there are differences between the historical ordinance of the borough and the borough’s zoning ordinances. He noted the borough has different maps in different locations in the borough ordinances book.

There was a suggestion by Armstrong that this motion be tabled for the solicitor to further investigate the matter of the conflicting maps. Council agreed and voted to table the motion.

Ordinances 738 and 739 were introduced by council, with a plan to advertise them after the 45-day period for surrounding municipalities and the LVPC to complete their review.

Under new business, Flynn was recognized for his completion of 10 years of service to Bath as its borough manager. Flynn, a few years ago, was recognized as the Borough Manager of the Year by the regional Chamber of Commerce.

Council passed a motion to move forward on the borough’s fire department/public works building boiler replacement project. A payment request has been authorized by the borough’s project engineer, Eric Lapos, in the amount of $24,747.30.

Council authorized Flynn to have Telco perform repairs to the traffic signal controller cabinet at Barrall Avenue and Walnut Street in the amount of at least $51,275 and to coordinate with the borough’s insurance provider to recover costs associated with these repairs.

Contractor Billitier’s Pennsylvania Steel Act Waiver request relative to the Old Forge Street lighting replacement project was approved.

The Pennsylvania Steel Act Waiver must be requested by the contractor. Steel waivers may be considered if a specific foreign product is needed for compatibility with existing equipment, if a U.S.-made equivalent is not available or if using a U.S.-made steel significantly increases project costs.

The Old Home Week committee is seeking permission to hold a hot dog eating contest at the Old Home Week celebration this year. The committee is also planning to have free haircuts provided, but only in three different styles. The borough solicitor suggested the borough’s insurance carrier be contacted to review any liability issues with both requests.

The next Bath Borough Council meeting is set for 6 p.m. July 14 in borough hall, 121 S. Walnut St. It is a hybrid meeting, with options of in-person attendance and watching the recording on YouTube. Visit bathborough.org to review the agenda for the council meeting.