During the public comment portion at the end of the Nov. 17 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, Candace Maxwell-Kern, administrative operations and community coordinator, addressed council and publicly asked for the resignation of one of the councilmen.

She said she was there to “speak for her own safety and the public’s right to transparency.” Going back to the beginning of her issue, Maxwell-Kern said she found a loaded, borough-issued firearm left unattended in the coed public bathroom on the first floor of the municipal building Aug. 12. She noted she immediately secured the weapon and turned it over to the police department.

She said that, instead of focusing on the incident itself and the potential public safety breach, a councilmember publicly called for her to be punished for speaking to the press. Maxwell-Kern said employees who report wrongdoing are protected from retaliation and intimidation under the Whistleblower Law.

“Under the First Amendment, public employees share the right to speak to the media on matters of public concern, and public safety is most certainly a matter of public concern,” she said.

Maxwell-Kern said she has been wrongfully accused of violating the Sunshine Act, which governs elected officials and their private meetings. She added this public call for retaliation has created a “real-world risk” for her personal safety.

“I no longer feel secure,” she said.

She also questioned why more attention is being focused on her and not on the officer who left the firearm in the public bathroom.

Maxwell-Kern asked for assurance of her safety and no further retaliation. She also called for the resignation of Councilman Gene Schlegel for “engaging in unlawful retaliatory conduct toward a protected whistleblower.”

There was no comment from council.

Also during the public comment portion, a resident from Edward Lane approached council about a property on his street. He noted the house, which was recently involved in a shooting incident, was in a “deplorable state” and presented a potential health hazard. Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart reported they have a number of complaints on file about garbage and weeds at that property and will be sending code enforcement to investigate.

During the recreation committee report, Schlegel reported the Santa they have used for the last 24 years “has been given the boot.”

“I hope the new one will bring joy and happiness to all concerned,” he said. “That’s my report. Good evening, folks.”

Schlegel then left the meeting early, before the public comment portion of the agenda.

The agenda noted the annual Catty KindlMart and tree lighting are set for 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at borough hall, 90 Bridge St.

The president’s comments included a proclamation honoring Jeff Miller for his years as parks and recreation director and his dedication to the borough. The proclamation highlighted Miller’s professionalism and “steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents.”

“His efforts have fostered a sense of unity, pride and belonging, enriching the cultural and social fabric of Catasauqua for generations to come,” the proclamation reads.

In his honor, the amphitheater at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St., has been dedicated in his honor.

“Jeff, your music will play on,” council President Howard Cunningham said.

Council approved a number of ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance 1457 adds a handicapped parking sign at 34 Second St.

The approved resolutions include a Local Share Account grant application for $527,553 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the replacement of the borough’s salt shed, an LSA grant application for about $1 million from CFA for a pumper truck for the fire department and a Penn Vest loan application for about $1.2 million to replace water meters in the borough.

Eckhart reported the 2026 budget process is underway. He reported they are still looking at about a $500,000 deficit. However, he clearly stated there would be no tax increase or fee increases for water and sewer. He did say the garbage increase is unavoidable since they have a contract with the provider.

Councilwoman Jill Smerdon asked council members and even the public to come up with ideas of where cuts can occur to help reduce the deficit and try to move toward a tax decrease. The budget will be discussed at the Dec. 1 workshop and committee meetings.

In his report, Eckhart also recommended against providing water bill relief to a couple of commercial or rental properties on Front Street and shared a letter of recommendation for a bid for the pole building project. He noted they received two bids and chose the lowest option. He added the project will be “paid from bond money that needs to be spent anyway.”

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick reported the 2025 road program is underway, most of the Bridge Street streetscape project is completed, the pocket park at 14th and Poplar streets will hopefully be done before Thanksgiving and that she is in conversations with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the Front Street streetscape.

She also thanked the borough residents for their patience with all the work going on. She said she understands the inconvenience and appreciates them working with the borough. She also added a lot of the work is being done at no cost to the borough or taxpayers.

Councilwoman Virginia Schlegel noted she and Councilwoman Kim Brubaker have discussed ideas with the solicitor for the camping ordinance and have met with Pastor Brian Riedy from Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church to amass a collection of resources for unhoused individuals.

She also reported Catasauqua Main Streets is working with the public works department to add festive greenery around town and in the planters. This is being done through grants and donations. She also added the process to update the employee handbook is underway.

Cunningham reported a meeting was held with VM Development Group to discuss preliminary site plans for the Iron Works site. He noted the meeting was “very productive.”

Councilwoman Tara Nicholas made a motion to approve a contract with a consultant for any zoning changes needed to help VM Development Group. The motion was approved.

There are vacancies on the code board of appeals, the zoning hearing board and the borough authority.

The next council meetings are 6 p.m. Dec. 1 for workshop and committee meetings and then 7 p.m. Dec. 15 for the business meeting. Meetings are held on the second floor of the municipal building, 90 Bridge St.