NAZARETH COUNCIL NOTES

Thanks to Becky for forwarding along her notes from the last Council meeting. I only mention who they were from because she did report on her own comments. So few people attend these meetings (and School Board and other municipal events) it is critical that we have reports from attendees to know what is going on in the areas that most directly impact us. If you attend meetings, please send along a report and let me know if you’d like to be acknowledged or not (editor@newsovercoffee.com).

Nazareth Borough Council held its regular meeting on Monday, June 7, 2010

From the audience:

Jennifer from 36 South Street asked for direction in her quest to get her neighbor’s grass cut; it is now “knee high”. She had called the police department several times, but no one got back to her. After 3 attempts to get an answer to her questions, and to find out who is responsible, Chief Trachta stated that the house is vacant and no one is getting the mail. The homeowner is responsible for cutting the grass, but the police department can’t do anything if they can’t fine the owner. It was suggested that the tax records should be checked to see who owns the home. Fortunately, for Jennifer, a person in attendance offered to cut the grass. There was more discussion should the situation arise again in the Borough and it was decided, to hire a lawn service to cut the grass and have the bill delivered to the Borough. The Borough will pay the bill and put a lien on the house for that amount.

Betsy Steckel form E Center Street voiced her displeasure about the meters that were recently installed in her block. She read the actual Resolution about the meters and it stated that a 1 hour meter would be installed in front of Oswald’s Jeweler. However, a 2 hour meter was installed there because Nazareth owns no 1 hour meter. Since the Resolution and what was actually done to not agree, she asked if a 1 hour meter would be going in or if Council would amend the Resolution. Larry Stoudt said they would not be purchasing a 1 hour meter and Council made no attempt to amend the Resolution, so the situation was not resolved.

Louise Diaz of 38 E Center Street commented on cars running the red lights at Broad and Center Streets as well as Belvidere and Broad Streets. Cars do not come to a complete stop at New and Center Streets and cars are driving much too fast in the Circle and do not give the pedestrians the right of way. What can be done? The response was that the Police Department is aware of the situation and will step-up patrols in those areas. She also mentioned that no-parking signs were put on the meters on the first block of E Center Street, but cars were allowed to park on the other side of the street for the Memorial Day parade. Larry Stoudt admitted there had been a problem and they would do better in the future.

Becky Butz of N Broad Street voiced her objections to some material that was included in the packets given out at the Workshop meeting on the previous Thursday. In May, Becky had participated in an interview on lehighvalley live.com, the internet version of the Express Times. It was an audio portion called “5 Questions”; the advertisement read in part – “Nazareth’s Sidewalk Queen pushes borough council to act, not just talk.” She was not upset that it was included, but rather that is was not included in its entirety. The interview was only in audio form; the hand-out gave no instructions on how to listen to the audio, nor was it transcribed to be included with the hand-out. (She had the CD and was prepared to play it for Council and the audience.) Comments to the interview were solicited, as they usually are in this format, but only a few of the comments were included in the hand-out, not all of them. There was ample time to include the information in its entirety and Becky’s point was that since only a part of the information was included, it was not a fair representation of the interview. Furthermore, it was revealed that “a councilman” insisted that the information be included, but Becky was not allowed to know who that Councilman was. In her mind, a “veil of secrecy” cast dispersion on the situation. Secretary, Paul Kokolus stated that there was no malice intended, but Becky was not convinced. Councilman Kopach admitted that he was the councilman who wanted it in the handout; he also admitted that he did not listen to the interview, nor did he read the comments. Becky’s feeling was that if any information is going to be provided, all of it, not only part of it, should be included so the Councilmen and the public could review the facts. Her concern was that this type of situation should not happen in the future. Secretary Kololus said he would no longer prepare the packets. (Reviewing the packets for proper information would be a better idea; the packets actually provided a lot of useful information.)

A representative form Goodfellows Restaurant on Main Street, proposed a “pizza eating contest” for July 17th, Nazareth Day. After discussion on any liability issues, Council approved the closing of S Main Street from Belvidere to Walnut Street from noon till 5:00 pm for the contest. This should prove to be an exciting event for the downtown area.

The Mayor reported that traffic is definite problem in town. He instructed if you see someone speeding or breaking the law, take down the license number and call it in. You must be willing to testify that you saw it in order for there to be any prosecution.

Council moved to change the date of the July 2010 Business meeting to Tuesday, July 6th, because of the long July 4th weekend and the celebration of the holiday on Monday,

July 5th.

Council moved to approve several resolutions honoring the Nazareth High School Girls Softball, Lacrosse and Soccer teams for their recent successes; also honored Eagle Scout Nathan C Serfass.

Council passed a resolution endorsing the Borough’s attempt at procuring a CBDG Grant for storm water work on Convent Avenue.

Police Report: 36 crimes reported and investigated; follow-up investigations, 17; traffic tickets, 58; warnings issued, 53.

To see other Nazareth Borough news, see website www.nazarethborough.com

Posted via email from Ross Nunamaker