During the May 18 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, council approved resolution 11-2026 requesting a Flood Mitigation Program grant of $2,107,038 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for the design and construction of a stormwater drainage infrastructure improvement project in the area of Main Street and Lehigh Valley International Airport. Main Street is off North Dauphin Street on the far side of the airport property.

The grant has a 15% match, but Engineer Vanessa Nedrick reported the borough has three years after the grant is paid to pay the match.

Additionally, council approved resolution 12-2026, relocating three handicapped spots from the west side to the east side of the street on Front and Second streets.

Council also discussed advertising ordinance 1465 to establish a four-way stop at North 14th Street and Ashton Court by Sheckler Elementary School. Councilman Robert Zakos said he has a list of other intersections he believes could use stop sign adjustments. Discussions will continue.

Chris Gulotta, of the Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County, spoke to council about a possible funding source for a planning firm to explore connecting the D&L Trail and Bridge Street area to the Iron Works area and business district. Some ideas for the area include another pedestrian bridge and possible better roadway alignment and pedestrian access to the Iron Works site. Gulotta reported next steps include issuing a request for proposals for firms and further discussions with the borough. He noted he has already been in touch with the D&L Trail group.

“We want to maximize the benefit of the trail for the Iron Works site and the larger community,” Gulotta said.

Council Vice President Kim Brubaker noted local businesses can already apply to be a trail-friendly business.

In related news, Councilman Howard Cunningham reported they are holding discussions about how best to utilize grant funding for the Iron Works project. He added the permitting process is underway for phase 1.

Council approved the plans for the 9/11 national memorial trail. It was reported Catasauqua was one of the municipalities chosen in Lehigh County to take part in the memorial trail initiative and that the maintenance and work on the signs will be completely handled without any effort from the borough. The trail will connect the three national memorials of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Nedrick’s report included a recommendation that council approve the Pearl Street subdivision project security release of $149,367.50. Council approved the request.

Council also approved the proposals for the peracetic acid chemical system at the wastewater treatment plant through Blooming Glen Contractors.

A request for a waiver of sewer fees for a property on Bath Avenue was tabled until council could investigate the matter more fully.

Councilwoman Tara Nicholas noted the waterfront district ordinance is currently with Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and she is hoping to have it available for council approval in June. She added there are still vacancies on the code board of appeals.

During the public safety report, it was reported the yellow no-parking zone in front of Sheckler Elementary School was extended for safety reasons at the request of the school district. There were discussions about exploring alternate options for parking in the area.

Mayor Anthony Alcalde reported the police department is looking to fill five slots, and the top 10 candidates are undergoing the interview process. He also noted the department’s accreditation effort continues to make good progress.

Zakos gave an overview on some recent and upcoming events in the borough. He said the Catty Eats Fest was well attended and the Friday night concert series was to begin May 23.

The summer program for youth in grades 1-6 will be held 9:30-11:30 a.m. June 14-Aug. 7. The program is limited to 30 children.

The J4 Celebration is planned for 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 4 at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St. According to Zakos, the vendor and crafter application deadline is June 1, and the next meeting will be 6:30 p.m. June 4 at the park.

North Catasauqua Fire Chief Roger Scheirer asked if there is an emergency preparedness plan for the J4 event and if it could be shared with them to help plan the response in case of emergency.

Zakos put out another request for three to five people to join the shade tree commission. He noted the group meets every other month.

Cunningham read a letter from Catasauqua Fire Chief Rich Hertzog and members of both the Catasauqua and North Catasauqua fire departments thanking borough Manager Glenn Eckhart, the borough administration and employees and council for their support. His letter noted it is not easy to run all-volunteer fire departments, but the communication and support from the borough has been helpful, he said.

Scheirer also mentioned they have representatives that attend Safe School meetings, but the borough’s police department has reportedly not recently attended.

Zakos brought in a mailer from J.P. Mascaro, the borough’s trash hauler. The mailer came from Allentown and included the pickup schedule and other details. He said he understands Allentown has “deeper pockets” than Catasauqua but would like to see the borough get something similar. It was noted Eckhart has been exploring similar options as well.

It was reported the updated pickup schedule for the borough is available on the borough website.

Council will next meet 6 p.m. June 1 for committee and workshop meetings and 7 p.m. June 15 for the regular business meeting. Meetings are held in the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.