At the Dec. 4 Northampton Borough Council meeting, several residents voiced support for keeping the Northampton Municipal Memorial Pool open. Council President Julia Kutzler polled council members on their thoughts in order to arrive at a council consensus about the pool’s future status.

“This breaks my heart (possible pool closure),” she said in her remarks. “It does not make sense to keep the pool open — all the repairs needed, and the pool will continue to lose money. Taxes will have to go up. I want the pool open, and I will follow the (council) majority.”

Councilman Ron Knopf said he wants the pool to remain open.

“If Coplay can keep their pool open, we can keep ours open,” Councilman Jason Donahue noted.

Council Vice President Ronald Glassic said he wants the pool to remain open but noted he’s also a numbers person. He wants every avenue pursued to keep it open.

Councilman Kenneth Hall lamented the pool loses money every year. He did not commit one way or the other.

“It’s tough,” Councilman Trevor Stone said. “It is never profitable, but we’ll do what we can to save the pool.”

“The pool is not what it used to be,” Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said. “I’d like to see if we can try to save it.”

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond said she doesn’t want to see the pool close and noted closing it for a year to complete the necessary repairs may be appropriate.

“The pool is a quality-of-life issue,” Mayor Anthony Pristash said. “It is a tough decision, but council can find funding.”

Pristash said he sees the pool as an integral part of the community, and this is an opportunity to work together to keep it open. He said he will assist in any way he can to save the pool.

Kutzler summed up the consensus of council is to do whatever is necessary to keep the pool open. Both Brian Welsko, borough manager, and Jerry Serensits, assistant borough manager, support an effort to save the pool. Welsko said the effort can succeed unless other unseen costs or challenges emerge.

Council approved a request by administration to advertise the proposed 2026 borough budget with the proposed tax increase of 2.5 mills.

Ordinance 1242 was approved to establish the new compensation for the borough mayor, council president and council members. The council roll call vote passed 5-1-2. Haldeman was the singular “no” vote. Glassic and Almond abstained.

Council approved the Northampton Police Department revision of operating procedures, responsibilities and guidelines for the operation and deployment of the K-9 unit.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Haldeman noted the Northampton Hometown Holidays event was a huge success. Every council member and the administration members present applauded the success of the event. Plans are already beginning to make the holiday event even bigger next year.

Glassic gave a shout-out to all the members of the borough’s public works department for their tireless work to make the event “a phenomenal success.”

Haldeman added Santa’s mailbox is still accepting letters. The mailbox is located by the borough’s holiday tree in the recreation center parking lot, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive. Letters will be accepted until Dec. 22.

In her fire and health committee report, Almond said the fire department is hosting its annual Santa Run Dec. 13, starting noon. Gifts can be dropped off at the fire station 6-8 p.m. through Dec. 12. Gifts should not exceed the size of a shoebox and must include the name, address and parent’s phone number. The address must be within the borough limits.

Welsko explained the sanitation contract with Republic is a five-year term. Each year will see an increase in fees in garbage hauling and recycling pickup. Each resident address will receive two 95-gallon totes, with one for garbage and the second for recycling. More information for residents will be posted on the borough website, northamptonboro.com.

The next borough council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the borough’s 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 how to access the meeting virtually.