During the Jan. 19 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, the final council member was sworn in. Sean O’Boyle, led by Mayor Anthony Alcalde, took the oath of office.

O’Boyle was named to fill the seat vacated by former councilman Gene Schlegel’s resignation. His term expires December 2028.

Council President Rev. Virginia Schlegel announced the council committee assignments, with a note that she wants to workshop the current Iron Works subcommittee. The committee assignments were approved by council.

Two resolutions were approved, including the police pension contribution at the standard 8%. The other was for a Local Share Account grant application for a vac truck for the public works department. Brian White, head of the public works department, said this truck will be helpful for a number of departments but especially for water and sewer work. The grant sought is for $593,931.

Resolutions regarding the employee handbook and the camping ordinance were moved back to workshop.

Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart reported the solicitor search is moving along. He said they have been in contact with three candidates and are planning to hold interviews Feb. 2.

Council approved the union contract with the public works department. Interim Solicitor Jared Hanna noted the contract gave the employees more compensation, saved on insurance and saved the borough money. White reported there is more structure in this contract than they had before.

It was noted the final aspects of the contract fell into place nicely for all parties involved.

“Everything just kind of came together,” Eckhart said.

Eckhart gave a brief update on the borough’s general fund for 2025. He noted there was a surplus of $147,000, even after paying back the $692,000 in COVID-19 relief funds from 2021 and 2022. He also reported they were still waiting on some funds from grants.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick asked council to approve a change order — a credit of about $55,130 back to the borough — as well as payment of $179,942.79 for the 2025 road program. The payment will come out of the liquid fuels fund, not the general fund. Council approved both.

Nedrick also reported the pocket park at 14th and Poplar streets is “substantially complete.” She said landscaping work will be completed in the spring, and they are planning a final walk-through. It was noted the playground equipment was chosen based off the smaller budget for the project, but there is the possibility of adding features, such as a water fountain or sliding board, in the future.

Council discussed some requests for relief from water/sewer and refuse fees. Council approved relief for a property on Circle Drive. It was reported the homeowners live in a nursing home and have not lived at the property since August 2025. The house is up for sale. The owners paid the garbage fee for the entire year for 2025 but asked for relief for 2026. Eckhart recommended waiving the fee for the current owners and passing the cost along to the new owners once it sells.

Council denied relief on a water/sewer bill for a property on Second Street due to a leak, as well as a request to be removed from garbage collection in favor of installing a dumpster. It was noted the garbage fee is calculated by the number of properties, so the borough would need to cover that cost. Additionally, there is an ordinance detailing requirements for a dumpster to be installed, and this property does not meet the requirements.

White shared his concern with council about how narrow Crane Street is, especially for snow plows and emergency vehicles. He said there is a risk of damage to cars parked on the street due to space limitations.

Rich Hertzog, borough fire chief, echoed these sentiments, adding they have tried in the past to restrict parking in that area, but the residents fought back. He noted they have had to drive up on people’s property in the past when responding to a fire in the area.

White and Hertzog warn it is only a matter of time before there is damage done to residents’ property and/or borough equipment.

During the public safety committee report, O’Boyle noted he is going to start highlighting efforts and general calls by the police and fire departments in future meetings.

Hertzog also reported there was a Verizon pole damaged during the summer, which still poses a safety concern. He said Verizon came out but has not done anything to address the issue. There were discussions about reaching out to possible contacts or having the solicitor send a letter to apply some pressure.

Council Vice President Kim Brubaker reported the latest round of Hometown Heroes banners is getting printed. She noted they will need help from the public works department to hang them once they arrive.

Councilman Robert Zakos asked about the borough’s shade tree commission, which was previously headed by Schlegel. Eckhart noted borough employees have been handling the duties but welcomed Zakos to take over. Zakos said he would open it back up to the community to look for assistance.

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

Hertzog noted the fire department’s Easter egg hunt is set for March 28, with a 12:30 p.m. start time, at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St. The rain date is March 29.

It was also noted a spring event is being planned at borough hall with the Chamber of Commerce, and plans are underway for the 2026 Catty EATS Fest, with an expected date around Mother’s Day.

Zakos reported the Catasauqua/North Catasauqua J4 Committee continues to plan festivities for the country’s 250th anniversary. The next meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at North Catasauqua Borough Hall, 1066 Fourth St.

The next Catasauqua Borough Council meetings will be held 6 p.m. Feb. 2 for the workshop and committee meetings and 7 p.m. Feb. 16 for the regular business meeting. Meetings are held in the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.