At the Oct. 15 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council passed resolution 13-25 that permits Northampton police officer Joseph Britt to apply for a statewide Local Share Account grant to fund the purchase of two 2027 Chevrolet Tahoes for the police department.

Resolution 14-25 was approved by council to adopt a 2025 amendment to the agreement between Northampton Borough and the Northampton Police Department. The contract is effective Jan. 1, 2024-Dec. 31, 2026.

Ordinance 1241 repeals and replaces chapter 234-38 of the codified ordinances that provides the regulation of accessible parking spaces. Council previously approved the ordinance for advertising at the Sept. 18 council meeting.

Council approved the recommendation from the borough’s solicitor to award the five-year contract for refuse collection and disposal to Republic Services.

The Lehigh Valley Community Benefit requested and received council assistance with traffic control for its 15th annual Tucker’s Toy Run. The ride is set for Nov. 1, with a rain date of Nov. 2. The ride begins noon. See related story on page A9.

The minimum municipal obligation for the 2026 police pension plan has been calculated to be $177,715. The borough received $146,810.35 in state aid, of which $72,922.35 will be applied to the police pension plan. The balance will be covered by the borough. Council approved the certification of the plan.

The MMO for the 2026 non-uniformed defined contribution pension plan was calculated to be $7,943. All of the $7,943 will be covered by state aid. Council approved the certification of the plan.

The Northampton Area School District choir departments from the high school, middle school and the elementary schools want to perform a combined patriotic concert, scheduled for May 27, 2026. It would be a celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

The NASD is requesting the use of the band shell at Municipal Park 2:30-8:30 p.m. May 27, 2026, with a rain date May 28. The show will start 7 p.m. The request includes waiving the rental fee for the use of the band shell. Council granted the requests.

In his administration and finance committee report, Councilman Kenneth Hall noted a number of exciting tours of the borough by dignitaries occurred during the last month. Visitors included Massimo Toso, chairman of Buzzi Unicem USA; Krzysztof Burek, vice president of manufacturing and technical development of Buzzi Unicem USA; students from Lehigh University; and Dr. Ann Circko, from the University of Massachusetts. See related story above.

In his code and police committee report, Councilman Trevor Stone thanked all who have used the new GoGov request software. Stone noted the GoGov software is available for residents to use on the My Northampton app and also on the borough’s website.

Councilman Ronald Knopf provided the fire and health committee report. Knopf said the Northampton Fire Department’s annual basket social is scheduled for Nov. 7-9.

Mayor Anthony Pristash commended everyone in the borough who supported Halloween with decorations around the community. In the spirit of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, he urged female Northampton residents to follow up with mammograms and other care for their health.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said there will be upcoming meetings about the municipal swimming pool. She said she desires input from the community because there may be difficult meetings to discuss the pool’s future plans, renovation needs and costs.

Haldeman said the pool is only open several months a year, and most Northampton residents do not use the pool. Many pool users are from neighboring municipalities. She again urged residents to attend upcoming council meetings to share their thoughts about the pool and its costs.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 6 in the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com to review the meeting’s agenda and to access the meeting virtually.