In the public comment agenda item of the Dec. 18 Northampton Borough Council meeting, residents shared their thoughts about the renewed trash hauling and recycling contract that includes a fee increase each year. The five-year contract was agreed to between council and Republic Services.

One resident expressed frustration with the mandated use of the 95-gallon garbage and recycling bins that have a lid. The bins are growing in use as garbage removal is becoming more automated since the trucks are able to clasp the special bin with an attachment bar to lift the bin to dump in the truck.

The automated pickup cuts costs because there is no outside employee either hanging off the truck or riding shotgun. The alternative to automation is having a couple of workers manually throwing garbage into the back of the truck as they walk behind the slow-moving vehicle.

A resident asked what to do with the current, smaller recycling bin. It was suggested the bin could be deposited into the big blue bin for Republic to haul away.

The 95-gallon bins, when full, are also reportedly difficult for seniors and residents with physical limitations to roll to the front sidewalk.

Another point of contention was that inclement weather compounds the challenges of getting the large bin in a place the automated garbage truck can get to the bin.

A resident from the Newport section of the borough, a neighborhood that often struggles with parking issues and congestion, said he cannot comply with the automated garbage collection. It is physically impossible, he said, to comply with the collection plans in the contract. The resident wanted to know if there will be a return to manual pickup of garbage for those areas.

Residents also said the communication to residents was not as thorough as they felt was needed. Inaccurate information was reportedly distributed, creating confusion among some. Council responded all the information is on the borough’s website. An elderly resident then asked what to do if a person does not have a computer.

Borough Manager Brian Welsko explained the contract situation and acknowledged the transition to using the larger bins will take time for adjustment. He noted smaller bins will be available in the near future. Welsko said the borough office has been inundated with resident questions, saying the office staff “is getting three calls every five minutes.”

Welsko said if a resident wants a smaller bin, the person should call the borough office. He added there were only two refuse service companies that bid on the contract. The borough needed to accept the lowest responsible bidder. Therefore, the borough had to accept things, like the large bins and automated pickup, that were noted in the contract.

Welsko asked everyone to be patient during the transition, understanding the borough administration and Republic will do whatever is possible to address any issues as they arise.

Also during the meeting, council voted unanimously to approve the final 2026 borough budget, which includes a 2.5-mill tax hike.

Mayor Anthony Pristash said he considered vetoing the budget to have council review the budget for any cost reductions. He said he took a closer look at the budget and conferred with Welsko. Pristash concluded, because of the nationwide affordability crisis with costs of nearly everything growing, the prudent choice was to support the tax hike.

Pristash said without the tax hike, the borough will lose ground as it tries to move the quality of life forward for residents.

Another resident alerted council of a strong sewer smell in the area of 26th and 27th streets. Welsko said the issue is being addressed with Allen Township concerning a development there.

A resident said she reviewed the borough budget and noted there may be federal grant dollars that could assist the financial needs of the municipal swimming pool.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said planning has already begun for the 2026 opening of the borough’s municipal pool. She noted work on the pool complex will begin in the next few weeks. She expects to provide updates on the pool preparation progress at council meetings during the upcoming months.

Councilman Trevor Stone, in his code and police committee report, reminded residents it is their responsibility to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of a storm.

In her fire and health committee report, Councilwoman Bonnie Almond noted if a resident has a fire hydrant on their sidewalk or property, the homeowner must clear 30 inches of snow and ice from around the hydrant. Failure to remove snow or ice from around a hydrant or from sidewalks 24 hours after a snow/ice event can result in a fine.

Council Vice President Ronald Glassic gave a shout-out to the public works department for its efforts to place a holiday tree and decorate the tree at the intersection of Main Street and Laubach Avenue.

Glassic reported the relining project continues in the Fourth Ward. Many residents should have received a letter from Gilmore and Associates regarding dye testing on their property, he noted. Glassic suggested, if a Fourth Ward property owner did not receive a letter, consider reaching out to Gilmore or call the office as soon as possible.

Jeffrey Brant was approved for reappointment to a six-year term on the borough’s civil service commission.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is its reorganization meeting set for 7 p.m. Jan. 5, 2026, in the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit the borough website at northamptonboro.com to review the meeting’s agenda and how to access the meeting virtually.