After a presentation by Doug White, Lehigh Engineering Associates, Inc., representing Kay Builders, Emmaus Borough Council approved Phase 1 Final Plan of the Fields at Indian Creek age-restricted development at the Feb. 16 meeting.

The development contains 217 units on 78 acres in Emmaus, Upper Milford and Lower Macungie Township. Twelve of the units are in Emmaus. White said Kay Builders has secured emergency access through the Farmhouse property.

There will be five phases to the development which includes a walking path. Portions of the walking path will be designated for the public’s use. Council member Nate Brown asked if sidewalks would be placed on both sides of the development from Upper Milford to Emmaus which White confirmed.

In response to maintenance of roads in the development, it was confirmed by Solicitor Thomas H. Dinkelacker, the homeowner’s association will maintain the roads as they are private. The Lehigh County Authority will be responsible for the water and sewer lines.

Council member Wesley Barrett abstained from the vote.

In other business, Dr. Mike Waddell offered thanks on behalf of Teri Sorg-McManamon, the Emmaus Arts Commission and the SnowBlast committee for the support of borough council, the Emmaus Fire Department and Ambulance Corp, Public Works and the Emmaus commmunity for supporting the 10th annual SnowBlast Winter Arts Festival. It was estimated 1,000 people attended the event Feb. 6.

Waddell thanked the many contributors, media and participating stores and restaurants for their support. The next event being planned by the EAC is the sixth annual rain barrel art silent auction. The call for artists will open in early March and the painted rain barrels will be shown at the Emmaus Farmers Market in June.

“It takes a village to plan a successful event,” Sorg-McManamon said in a letter to council. “All of us on the arts commission appreciate our Emmaus community and thank you all for supporting the arts in the borough. We can’t do it without you.”

The Lincoln Elementary School PTO’s request to close roads to traffic May 19 for the 2016 Spring Festival was approved. Closed to traffic 3 to 7:30 p.m. to ensure the safety of the children and families will be Pike Street from Seem to Harrison streets and Seem Street between Second and Third streets.

Also approved was the request from Cedarbrook Sportsmen for $300 to stock 200 trout in the Furnace Dam prior to the first day of trout season. The request was approved with Cedarbrook Sportsmen hoping to stock Furnace Dam March 31 prior to the April 2 opening day of trout season.

Mayor Winfield Iobst commended the Emmaus Police Department’s newest officer, Adam Polster for helping a disabled truck by St. Ann Church. “Adam did an outstanding job,” Iobst said.

Council approved the request of the Emmaus Remembrance Garden to dig a swale about 10 feet wide and six to 10 inches deep to divert the rain water around the garden.

Also approved was the Emmaus High School Class of 1966 50th reunion and classic car show scheduled for June 11 at Emmaus Community Park. The request was approved contingent upon the group providing liability insurance.

The Emmaus Fire Department is partnering with the Active Learning Center to hold an Easter egg hunt and public safety education event 11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19 at Emmaus Community Park. Council approved the request and Brown thanked Chief David Nelson for putting the event together.

The East Penn Emmaus Midget Football Association sought approval to construct a pavilion at community park. The football association will construct the pavilion which will be maintained by the borough. This was approved and Barrett thanked the group for stepping up to do projects to benefit the entire community.

The borough will contract with General Code for codification services which Borough Manager Shane Pepe said will offer additional benefits to the residents. Residents will be able to search codes by keyword via the system when it is up and running.

Lastly, Pepe sent a letter to the Emmaus General Authority requesting funding for a number of items included in the borough budget, noting the General Authority’s generous contributions in the past and the realization not all items will be funded.

The prioritized items include two police vehicles, pool bath house improvements, lease of a new ambulance, new building design and construction, police server, police car camera and recording system, ambulance patient carry system, ambulance training manikins, dump truck lease, 10th Street culvert, snow plow, street sweeper suction head, 3-Phase quantity recorder, Klein torque tool kit, refreshment stand suppression system and ground fault circuit interrupter outlets for pavilion. Brown thanked the members of the Emmaus General Authority for their continued support.

Councilman Chris DeFrain said council is seeking nominations for Volunteer of the Year 2015.