Members of the budget and finance committee met with the borough financial consultant Gary Pulcini and a solicitor last week to discuss finance regarding the purchase of the former Rodale building as reported at the Emmaus Borough Council May 4 .

Acting Council President for the night Brian Holtzhafer said the meeting went extremely well and a lot of useful information was received.

Holtzhafer said by taking out a bank loan for the Rodale building, council "should receive the best financial rates, should be able to do it in the shortest amount of time and have a minor increase in our debt service and only add six years to our current debt service."

He continued to say if something would go wrong with rentals or something would suddenly change, the taxpayers' liability would not increase; rather they would just be extending it six years.

Holtzhafer said if renting out works, they'll be able to pay off the building sooner.

"If we would go to a bond, you're looking at probably going out to 2040, which is another 20 years beyond where we would be hoping that would end."

Holtzhafer said the only concern the attorney had was if they would lose the tenant, they could only rent out to tax-exempt organizations.

"If we are renting to a private organization, the bank cannot offer the same rate."

In other business, Richard Farmer spoke to council on behalf of the 1803 House. Farmer said they want to put up a fence to form a boundary between the house and active railroad located next to the building.

Farmer said construction tape is put up at events to alert people not to go near the railroad.

"We thought that we ought to put up a more significant barrier," Farmer said.

According to Farmer, an Eagle Scout will be planning and constructing this project. Council voted 5-0 in favor of allowing this project to proceed.

Ordinance 1126 was passed unanimously. This ordinance deals with amending the rules relating to Triangle Park, as well as other parks, dealing with prohibition for carrying firearms in a public park and use of deadly force for self protection and for the protection of third persons.

Mayor Winfield Iobst declared May 10 through May 16 Emmaus Police Department Week.

Jeffrey McElhaney and Edward Farnschlader were both reappointed to the parks and recreation commission with terms expiring May 1, 2018.

Council voted 5-0 in favor of waiving the field fee for the East Penn Emmaus Midget Football Association.