David Yopconka, president of Alburtis Area Community Center, addressed Alburtis Borough Council at the Feb. 25 meeting about concerns he and other residents have about stakes in the center of the baseball field.

Baseball season will start in the spring and the field is frequently used. Plus, the field is a nice setup and size and is also used for local baseball, playoff games and more, according to comments.

Councilpersons David Lehr and vice president John Aleszczyk, who chaired the meeting in the absence of council president Steve Hill, advised Yopconka the stakes were placed for the new Cingular Wireless tower. However, since the stakes are not within the original amount of land requested by Cingular Wireless, the stakes will be removed. The wireless company recently requested 10,000 square feet, instead of 960 feet, and the latest request is not acceptable to council.

Council is in the process of working with the company and there are other possible locations for the tower.

To assure Yopconka there was no problem with baseball starting this spring David Knerr, borough solicitor, advised the ball field was not in jeopardy, the business with the tower would take a long time and there would be at least two advertised hearings concerning the tower of which residents would be notified in advance.

In other business, Councilperson Kathleen Raines reported on four meetings she attended.

The park and recreation committee met Feb. 19 to discuss purchasing paint and a net for the hockey court and the need of a new batting cage. The estimated cost of paint is $1,369.58 and a new net is estimated to cost $1,798.00. To have it delivered would cost $110. However, to pick up the net at South Mall costs $60, a saving of $50.

Raines also mentioned the need for a new batting cage. Raines requested permission to purchase the two items but after checking the budget, Aleszczyk suggested Raines do some research for better prices and talk with the Rotary Club for monetary help.

The bird sanctuary was also discussed. The park and recreation committee members would like to see a walking path with benches, some birdhouses and signs with names of trees placed in the sanctuary. Should the Scouts consult council for a project to do in the future, the sanctuary improvements might be suggested. Council members agreed to the suggestion.

Raines also reported on attending the town watch meeting Feb. 19 where she learned about the Pennsylvania Yellow Dot Program, explained by Officer Chris Lubenetski.

"The Yellow Dot Program is for your picture, doctor, hospital medication, allergies, emergency contacts or recent surgeries. You keep this (information) in the glove compartment and put the yellow dot in the rear window on the driver side. If you are in an accident and cannot talk they [first responders] will know to look in the glove compartment for information," Raines said. The meeting also included a demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

On Feb. 20 Raines, Lehr and Sharon Trexler, borough manager, met with Matt Szuchyt, a representitive with the office of Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, at Alburtis Borough Hall. Raines questioned Szuchyt about truck traffic on the bridge on Spring Creek Road. Lehr inquired about changes in the gun laws and local police using radar guns.

Raines also attended a safety committee meeting Feb. 20. The meeting featured a video about the PA One Call, 811 service to avoid digging where water or sewer pipes, power and gas lines or other underground items would be located. Alburtis maintenance crews marked pertinent areas in the borough with white paint.

There was a brief discussion and review of a lease agreement penned by Lehr between the borough and the Alburtis Historical Society for use of the downstairs at the Lock Ridge Church. Council passed a motion to accept the agreement and gave Lehr permission to present the agreement to Kevin Shoemaker of the historical society for signing.

The borough has been notified the guardrails on the bridge at Church Street will be worked on by crews from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation within the next two weeks.

Other business included approval of the Feb. 11 meeting minutes as written, approval of payment of bills from Feb. 17 and 25 and the treasurer's report.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer praised the maintenance department for doing a great job during the recent snow emergencies, even though the department was one man short.

John Alexzczyk, council vice president, who chaired the meeting, announced there was an executive session held Feb. 19 to review the collective bargaining agreement contract with police.

An executive session was called at 7:35 p.m. right before the meeting ended to discuss personnel matters with no action expected to be taken.