A 12-year veteran legislator was honored at the Dec. 8, 2025, Bath Borough Council meeting. Council President Frank Hesch led the appreciation of outgoing Councilwoman Michele Ehrgott. Ehrgott is the first female Bath Borough Council president.

As president, Ehrgott had a history of no-nonsense, efficient and relatively short council meetings.

Hesch presented Ehrgott with a plaque honoring her 12 years of service to Bath Borough in elected office. He thanked her for her dedication and the leadership she provided in her elected role on council.

Ehrgott provided warm words to her peers and attendees at the council meeting.

“Twelve years ago, I stepped into the role, never imagining the journey it would take me on. It was a sense of hope and duty. Today, as I prepare to step away, what I feel most is gratitude,” Ehrgott said. “As I leave this position, I do not leave the community. I remain committed to all of you just in a different way. My heart for this place and people will never ever go away.”

She added the position on council to her was never about policy only; rather, it was also about people.

She thanked borough council, manager and staff and her family, saying the moments shared and friendships she made will remain with her long after leaving office. Ehrgott paid tribute to Bath Borough Manager Brad Flynn, noting she would not trade their time working together because of her profound respect for Flynn. She said she cherishes her time working with him.

Reassuring Bath residents, Ehrgott said she will remain active in borough affairs, on volunteer borough committees and as an advocate for continuing to make Bath a better community.

Flynn stated his own tribute to honor Ehrgott. He said she was a remarkable leader whose perspective and assistance helped guide the borough’s administration.

“Michele’s presence will be deeply missed from the dais, but her impact will remain embedded in the work we do every day,” Flynn said.

In his Bath Volunteer Fire Department report, fire department leader Tony Kovalovsky said the November 2025 fire calls were 51 and the total number of calls year to date is a record 408, with one month remaining in 2025, which was December at the time of the meeting.

Council authorized a fourth payment to Billitier Electrical and close-out retainage in the amount of $39,930.94 for all final work completed through Nov. 30, 2025, as certified by the borough engineer, dated Nov. 10, 2025.

Also at the meeting, Gail Taylor was council appointed to serve as a member of Bath Borough Planning Commission, filling the vacancy by former member Phil West’s departure. Her term will run through Dec. 31, 2027. Taylor noted she “moved to Bath in 2009 and loves the borough and felt it is time to give back” to the Bath community.

Council tweaked the Bath Borough employee vacation policy as recommended by the borough’s personnel, finance and administration committee. Council approved HR policy 2015-02 that provides guidance to the borough bookkeeper and payroll services where 27 pay periods may exist as recommended by the committee.

A petition filed by Summit Realty, dated Nov. 21, 2025 — for the purpose of restricting parking by ordinance along Barral Avenue from Chestnut to Walnut streets as part on their subdivision and land development project, located at 202 N. Walnut St. — was council approved. The approval was conditioned upon Summit Realty executing a professional services agreement with the posted necessary escrow for the borough’s staff petition review.

Council approved resolutions 2025-11, 2025-12, 2025-13, that set the 2026 schedule of fees, appointing Taylor to the planning commission and authorizing application to the statewide Local Services Agreement.

The advertising of ordinance No. 740 was approved, which will amend Section 625.19.A that designates Elm Street as one way eastbound from Broad Street to Wolf Street.

An ordinance to amend the borough zoning map was tabled.

All resolutions and ordinances are available for resident review by calling the borough office or visiting bathborough.org.

The next council meeting is 6 p.m. Feb. 9. It is a hybrid meeting, held both in person at 121 S. Walnut St. and online. Visit bathborough.org to review the meeting’s agenda and how to access the meeting virtually.