At the Northampton Borough Council meeting May 21, council approved several requests to hold parades and other upcoming celebratory events in the borough. Additionally, barring the unforeseen, the municipal swimming pool is scheduled to open June 6.

Council approved the plan for the borough to host an event July 3 at Municipal Park to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event will include a parade, live music, activities for children, food trucks and more. The celebration is to run 5-9 p.m.

Council also approved a request from the Northampton Volunteer Fire Department to hold the annual firefighters parade July 18, during the annual Northampton Community Days.

Council approved a request driven by love from residents of 248 E. Seventh St. It was a request to use a borough-owned parking space beside their home for a wedding Sept. 19.

Another request that was approved involves the Northampton Fire Department and the Alliance Fire Department for Sept. 25, 2027, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of their founding. The request included permission to hold a parade and block party.

The tentative parade route is planned for the same route as the annual Jack Frost Parade in October. The following street intersections will be closed — Smith Lane at Lerchenmiller Drive, Clear Springs Drive at Horwith Lane and Lerchenmiller Drive and Washington Avenue.

A large list of seasonal employees were approved to be hired for the swimming pool and public works summer help. There was concern at a previous council meeting that the swimming pool might not open due to a low number of applicants to work the pool.

Council approved the use of PushPress software to track recreation center membership. The center has been using the same software since 2013 and is in need of the upgrade offered by the new software. The cost is $159 per month.

In the hearing of persons present agenda item, several residents from the neighborhood being developed by Kay Builders complained about alleged improper grading that has led to ponding in yards at homes already built.

Residents said they do not get return calls from Kay and complained about Kay staff being rude to residents when they talk about the drainage issues. These residents asked the borough to intervene and relay their issues.

One resident asked if council could hold a “round table” meeting to address the issues by having residents, representatives from Kay, a team from council and others pertinent to the issue sit down to address issues.

He said the residents are stuck and need council’s assistance. Council ensured the issues will be addressed.

Councilwomen Bonnie Almond and Judy Haldeman raised the issues of data centers and 6G towers that municipalities need to consider for the future. Borough Solicitor Stephanie Steward responded the borough needs a data center ordinance, and she has one drafted. She added the 6G towers issue can be incorporated into a current ordinance.

Steward also noted the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will need to approve a data center ordinance, so she recommends council begin discussing and debating the drafted ordinance.

6G towers represent the next evolution in wireless infrastructure. Unlike traditional cell towers, these are just not passive steel columns but active, intelligent nodes. Higher-frequency 6G signals do not travel as far so networks will use “small cells” attached to existing utility poles and streetlights in busy urban areas rather than building towering macro structures.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. June 4 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and online options. Visit northamptonboro.com to review the meeting’s agenda and to access the meeting virtually.