At the July 17 Northampton Borough Council meeting, borough Manager Brian Welsko asked council to consider the appointment of a new junior councilmember. Council President Julia Kutzler, former junior councilmember Mason Smolenik, administration intern Tori Carson and Welsko interviewed four Northampton Area High School candidates to become the next junior councilmember.

At the Jan. 7, 2021, Northampton Borough Council meeting, former councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. suggested council consider reinstating the junior councilmember program. Lopsonzski noted bringing an NAHS student on as a junior councilmember could be a vehicle for learning what their issues are that council could address.

He noted the experience could also benefit the selected student in learning and understanding how local government works and could generate interest in local government.

Lopsonzski’s advocacy, along with the assistance of Northampton Area School District, resulted in the selection of a junior councilmember to serve for two years as a nonvoting borough councilmember.

The junior councilmember was resurrected at the Sept. 4, 2021, council meeting, with the appointment of NAHS junior Ryleigh Tillotson. She served as a junior councilmember for two years until she graduated.

Tillotson was followed by Mason Smolenik after selection by borough council at the Sept. 7, 2023, meeting. Both Tillotson and Smolenik served Northampton Borough with distinction and expressed gratitude to council for the positive experience they had as a junior councilmember.

After much deliberation by the interviewing committee members, they recommended Xuan Lam, a talented academic in her junior year at NAHS. Council voted unanimously to appoint Xuan.

All of council thanked Xuan for applying and offered congratulations on being selected.

“You have big shoes to fill,” council Vice President Ronald Glassic said to Xuan. “We had two great junior councilmembers, so we want to keep that going.”

Glassic congratulated Xuan and said he looks forward to her work as a junior councilmember.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman announced the Fourth Street Playground project was awarded a Livable Landscapes grant for $100,000.

The Livable Landscapes grant program is administered by Northampton County. The program provides grants for eligible applicants in land preservation, ecological restoration, education and outreach, public parks rehabilitation and development and regional trails.

In his code and policy committee report, Councilman Trevor Stone said the Northampton Borough Planning Commission discussed 799 Smith Lane and the construction of a warehouse. There was also a brief discussion regarding the borough’s role in the River Central Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond, in her fire and health committee report, said this year’s fire cadet training camp was a success for the camp’s 25 attendees and thanked all who coordinated the camp and the families and their youngsters who attended the camp.

In his sewer and public works committee report, Glassic noted there were no internal applicants volunteering to transfer to the sewer plant, so the position of certified sewer plant operator/trainee position was posted externally. The external posting will remain open until July 29.

Glassic also noted the Route 329 basin and pipe replacement project was to begin July 21. The work is expected to be completed approximately mid-August.

Kutzler noted a successful roundtable meeting occurred with council members, Northampton Police Department, neighbors in the Hampton Ridge neighborhood and Tri-Boro Sportmen Club to talk about the ongoing issue of bullets allegedly sailing into the neighborhood from the Tri-Boro shooting range. A goal of the meeting was to enhance open communication over the issue.

Carson provided an update of the planning for the movies in the park at Municipal Park. It is expected there will be outdoor movies every Friday August through October. There will be a concession stand, activities for children, face painting and more. Visit northamptonboro.com for updates.

Welsko applauded the efforts to coordinate the movies in the park program. He noted the equipment purchased — inflatable screen, projector and other equipment — are grant funded.

Welsko added the attendance at the municipal pool has increased from last year.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com to review the agenda and how to access the meeting virtually.