Alburtis Borough Council met Sept. 10, with council members President Ron DeIaco, Second Vice President Hector Moss, Chad Atkins, Mehmet Birtek and Ashlyn Rivera present alongside Mayor Kathleen Palmer, Borough Manager Stephen Nemeth and the solicitor David G. Knerr in attendance.

The meeting opened with the call to order and pledge to the flag, followed by an opportunity for public comment before council moved on to borough business.

Council approved the minutes of its Aug. 27 meeting and authorized payment of borough bills, totaling $91,260.16. Following, Palmer delivered her report. She spoke about Sensory Village, who help children with sensory disabilities. This was followed by the police report, detailing department activities and crime statistics. The treasurer’s report provided a financial overview and the engineer submitted updates on current projects within the borough.

The most significant item of the evening was the introduction of Ordinance 599, a sweeping revision to property maintenance and fire safety codes in Alburtis. The ordinance updates the borough’s standards from the 1996 BOCA National Property Maintenance Code to the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, with modifications designed to enhance public health and safety. The update establishes minimum standards for heating, sanitation, ventilation, lighting and fire safety to ensure safe use of existing structures.

The ordinance also requires certain properties to install and maintain rapid-entry key boxes to aid emergency responders and prohibits most open burning while setting strict regulations for permitted burning.

Additionally, the ordinance creates a new fire code chapter that adopts the 2021 International Fire Code, with modifications, to establish standards for fire prevention, hazardous material storage and life safety.

A fire inspection program for commercial structures will be implemented, requiring biennial inspections and a fee schedule.

The Lower Macungie Fire Department was formally recognized as the official fire services provider for Alburtis, with its chief and fire marshal appointed to borough fire leadership roles. A fire protection services agreement was authorized with the department and the outdated section of the borough code establishing special fire police was repealed.

Other provisions of the ordinance authorize the mayor to declare local disaster emergencies, update sales of surplus property procedures to include online auctions for items under $2,000 and officially abolish the park and recreation commission, removing its chapter from the borough’s ordinances.

Council also reviewed the Alburtis Area Community Center parade route road closure request for this year’s Halloween parade. A second road closure request came from Cory and Kimberly Rides Again. Both were granted, subject to coordination with borough officials and public safety staff.

With no further business, the council adjourned after addressing all agenda items.