The Jan. 15 Northampton Borough Council meeting was dominated by trash can talk. In the hearing of persons present agenda item, a resident asked about a rental fee of $75 for the trash cans required for use.

Borough Manager Brian Welsko reported the homeowner does not own the large trash can; rather, the can remains with the house. Welsko noted the homeowner, in a sense, can use the trash can as long as he lives in the home.

Another question concerned how a second 95-gallon trash can could be acquired. It was explained residents could add their names to a list, which would be used in totaling the number of cans to be ordered in the future. Payment for an additional can would be to the borough, with the borough then sending the payment to the trash hauler.

In response to a question regarding the possibility of ordering a smaller, 30-gallon can, it was said residents would need to contact the borough to place that order as well. Welsko suggested the resident try to get used the larger can because once a resident opts for the smaller can, they no longer can get a large can.

Another trash can issue was brought up by council members. Some residents fill up the 95-gallon can so much that the lid will not fully close. This can attract crows, which can tear up the garbage bags inside. It was also said if the lid is not properly closed, the hauler might not pick up the resident’s garbage.

Another issue was that some residents leave their trash can in front of their home with or without the lid being on properly for days after garbage pickup. It was noted code enforcement can cite the resident for not retrieving their trash can from the sidewalk or street in front of their house.

Visit northampton.com or call the borough office with any trash can questions.

In his building, land and recreation committee report, Councilman Ronald Knopf said the borough received a $9,000 hotel tax grant for a disc golf course at Canal Street Park. He also noted that, due to the wear and tear of the borough’s portable band trailer, the borough will no longer rent the trailer to any event outside Northampton Borough.

Mayor Anthony Pristash said he plans to work with new Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski to better serve Northampton. He also noted he and a few other mayors recently recorded a half-hour segment on the local television show called “Business Matters,” hosted by Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce leader Tony Iannelli. The show will air on WFMZ Jan. 26.

Welsko said a recent meeting with state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, went well, as he spent an hour with residents at the municipal building. Miller took questions from the group and pledged to assist Northampton in any way possible.

Council reappointed Carrie Hershman to the borough’s health board. Hershman currently serves as the board’s secretary.

Sylvia Wasko was reappointed to the zoning hearing board. Wasko currently serves as the board’s vice chair.

Northampton Area School District received council’s permission to use the borough’s portable restroom trailer for the annual car show set for July 25 and 26 at East Allen Township’s Bicentennial Park.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 4 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.