COUNCIL INFO

Want to thank Becky Butz for forwarding along her notes from the recent Council Workshop and Meeting:

Council Workshop January 28, 2010

Once again, Borough residents from the first block of E Center Street voiced their displeasure with the proposed meters that are going in on the south side of the street.

There’s been much discussion about the matter and residents want the matter re-visited. All 9 Council persons voted for the meters earlier, but at the January 4th meeting, a motion was made to revisit the Center Street parking meter issue. Discussion followed, mostly favoring the meters.

The last Nazareth Borough Police Department Community Police Meting was held in October. Residents showed up in November and December, but no officer arrived to conduct the meeting. Chief Trachta said that the meetings have been canceled; no reason given. (comment: the information announcing the meetings is still on the web-site and should be removed if there are no longer going to be meetings).

Cindy Werner from Economic Development announced that the focus will be to increase the efficiency of the pool and the success of the recreation programs. Her committee will be meeting with Frank Fry from the YMCA to discuss options

Troy Keenhold questioned the appointment of Mike Rinker to the position of Emergency Management Director for the Borough for 2010. When the position was advertised in the local newspaper, the requirements were for the director to be a resident of Nazareth; Mr Rinker is a resident of Upper Nazareth. Mr Keenhold applied for the position and feels he satisfies all the requirements and has questioned the process. Mr Rinker has held the position for several years (comment: was the ad in the newspaper wrong? Haven’t the requirements been met before?) No conclusion to the topic. Mr Keenhold is ready to retain an attorney.

The Engineer announced that a grocery store is interested in the property at Route 248 and Jandy Blvd. This property is partly in the Borough and partly in Lower Nazareth.

Borough Council Meeting February 1, 2010

· Motion to advertise to remove the 15 minute parking zone on the south side of E Center St in front of Oswald Jewelers. (a one hour parking meter will be installed)

· Motion to remove the last 3 meters on the south side of E Center St from Broad St to Spruce St. NO second; motion died (meters are in)

· Motion to create the position of Nazareth Borough Fire Code Official and to hire Ed Statler for the position.
Motion to investigate the possibility of outsourcing the mowing of all of the grassy areas, playing fields, parks and green spaces which the Borough owns and/or maintains. Motion passed.

· Motion to hire Mark Herman as a part-time police officer. Motion carried.
Motion to initiate the process and begin defining the criteria needed for the hiring of a Deputy Chief of Police. Motion carried

· Motion to direct the Secretary/Treasurer to correspond with Northampton County Executive John Stofka and inform him of council’s support for the continuation of Gracedale as a county administered facility for the aged. Nazareth Borough Council does not support any initiative to privatize Gracedale. Motion passed

From the Mayor – Police report: 43 crimes, 77 traffic tickets, 397 calls

Source: Ross Nunamaker