At the Aug. 20 Northampton Borough Council meeting, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman, chair of the building, land and recreation committee, thanked the municipal swimming pool staff for their efforts to make the 2026 pool season a success, despite not having the best pool weather this season. The pool season ended earlier this month.

The official 2026 pool season financial results will be presented at the Sept. 3 council meeting.

As the pool season ended, the school season started. The 2026-27 Northampton Area School District school year officially began Aug. 24.

Northampton Mayor Tony Pristash, council Vice President Ronald Glassic and all of council requested residents be mindful of children walking to school and the school bus traffic throughout the year. Records indicate there were no major reported school bus accidents or critical incidents involving the NASD bus fleet during the 2025-26 school year.

The goal is having no school transportation safety incidents — whether walking or via school bus — in the district. Residents play a key role in preserving student safety.

The Northampton Fire Department received council permission to amend the date of the 125th anniversary parade from Sept. 25, 2027, to Sept. 18, 2027. The change of date request is due to a reported scheduling conflict with the parade judges.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 105 E. 19th St., received council permission to have a temporary street closure at 19th Street from Ridge Alley to Lincoln Avenue 1-4 p.m. Oct. 25. The church is planning its annual trunk or treat to celebrate Halloween.

In his administration and finance committee report, Councilman Kenneth Hall thanked Heidelberg Materials for its donation of $2,500 to the borough’s Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum. Hall further thanked Heidelberg for its years of support for the museum.

Haldeman noted the next movie at Municipal Park will be Aug. 28. The event begins at dusk and will feature “The Wizard of Oz.” Pre-movie festivities begin around 6 p.m. with a face painter and balloon creations by the Tootsie the Clown Group and more.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond explained, in response to public misunderstanding, that some council members choose to use a small laptop computer to review council documents to save paper. These council members are not distracted, non-engaged or being disrespectful, she said.

Glassic asked borough Manager Brian Welsko if a pickleball court will be installed at the recreation center. Welsko said it depends if funding is available in the 2027 budget for a pickleball court.

Glassic also asked Welsko if the trash issues with the contracted borough trash hauler are being handled. Welsko replied the issues are being addressed as they arise.

Welsko noted the Cementon-Northampton Bridge is expected to be closed Sept. 28-30.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in the borough 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.