At the Oct. 14 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council opened the meeting with a public hearing regarding a data center ordinance developed by borough Solicitor Stephanie Steward.

She listed a number of items the ordinance contains to tightly regulate data centers. She noted it, if passed, is an interim ordinance.

Steward said the interim status is required because the River Central Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan consortium will be developing a data center ordinance that will apply to the five municipalities of the River Central group — Northampton, North Catasauqua and Catasauqua boroughs and East Allen and Hanover, Lehigh County, townships.

Steward explained the ordinance indicates a data center can only by installed in an industrial-2 zoned area in the borough. Other regulations of the interim ordinance include that data centers must pay for and complete water, electricity, hazard containment, fire abatement and electronic waste plans and studies. No data center can be placed within 300 feet of residential properties or any schools.

Ordinance 1244 was approved that amends the Northampton Borough Zoning Ordinance to define and add specific requirements regulating data centers and data center accessory uses and to provide provisions for uses not provided in the ordinance.

Council also adopted ordinance 1245 that dissolves the borough’s board of health and abolishes the borough health officer position effective Dec. 31.

Resolution 9-26 approved the adoption of an artificial intelligence use policy.

All resolutions and ordinances, including the data center interim ordinance, are available for review by visiting northamptonboro.com.

An ordinance requiring borough businesses to install a Knox Box at the place of business was discussed. Councilwoman Judy Haldeman made a motion to extend the compliance time for six months.

She noted she spoke to a number of small-business owners who complained about the mandate to purchase a Knox Box. Haldeman expressed the extra time will help small businesses raise the money needed to come into compliance with the ordinance.

A resident at the meeting said she has a hair salon about 500 square feet as part of her home. She asked what the difference is in her house and the homes the council members live in. She said the Knox Box costs more than $600 with installation costs.

She said for a small business, “this makes no sense.”

Borough Manager Brian Welsko noted about half of borough businesses have either purchased the box or plan to order one. Haldeman said she is just asking to give businesses a little more time because some costs have gone up, and residents and small businesses struggle with affordability.

Borough President Julia Kutzler replied she would support an extension until the end of the year. Haldemen disagreed with the shorter extension.

Kutzler responded, “This is like fixing a (traffic) ticket.”

Haldeman disagreed with that analogy.

Mayor Anthony Pristash responded, as a small-business owner himself, that for small businesses, the cost with installation can exceed $700. He added that during the holiday season, many small businesses have money tied up in inventory.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond noted she thought there was a standard-size Knox Box presented with a $500 cost, so she questioned the extra costs being reported.

Haldeman clarified her motion that the extension of six months would extend to Feb. 26, 2027. The motion was approved by council by a 6-1 vote, with Kutzler voting against.

In his administration and finance committee report, Councilman Kenneth Hall noted there were two donations to Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum this past month in the amounts of $63 and $300 from Doris and Debra Rothrock.

In other museum news, Hall said there was a thank-you letter received from the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Dodge Brothers Club. The club detailed its exceptional experience at the museum guided by the knowledge of Sally Madden, Larry Oberly and Ed Pany.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Haldeman said work on improving the bathrooms at the Northampton Municipal Pool is moving forward.

She noted the popular Northampton Hometown Holidays celebration is only one month away. The event is scheduled for Nov. 21 on the recreation center and Northampton Fire Department grounds on Lerchenmiller Drive. It will include a holiday tree-lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus.

Welsko reported the new borough website transition will begin within a month.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 5 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.