Police Chief Robert Palmer received a donation of $9,631 from residents Dr. Waqas Ahmed, an adult cardiologist and Dr. Sohail Abbas, an adult psychiatrist to cover the cost of new computers needed for police patrol cars at the Feb. 24 Alburtis Borough Council meeting.

Ahmed and his family moved from southeast Kentucky to Alburtis six to eight months ago. He and his brother-in-law Abbas bought new homes in Alburtis and, after settling in, decided they wanted to do something for the community.

Ahmed contacted and met with Police Chief Robert Palmer and Mayor Kathleen Palmer and learned new computers were needed for the patrol cars. Ahmed promised he and Abbas would pay for the computers when they arrived.

“We wanted to do whatever we could do to help in the community we live in. We will be happy to do whatever we can,” Ahmed said.

Macungie Ambulance Corps Operations Manager Christopher Greb presented the 2015 report to council and encouraged everyone to read the report for 2015 including the history. The Corps answered 3,482 calls in 2015, an increase of 190 calls over 2014, due to growth in the area. Greb said membership has grown to meet the needs of the community as well as the purchase of additional equipment.

Greb recently joined the Alburtis Volunteer Fire Department. He commended the Macungie Ambulance Corps administration staff members Martha Herring and Ann Schoch for their 25 years of excellent service with the corps and thanked council for their support.

“Thank you for the wonderful work that you do for the residents,” Council President Ron DeIaco said.

Borough Manager Sharon Trexler received three recommendations from Engineer Jeffrey Ott following their meeting about sewer capacity and reassurance program updates. First, council should continue basement inspections in all borough buildings, complete documentation and remove illegal connections.

Second, council should consider Lehigh County Authority’s offer regarding specifications and contract/construction administration for the inflow and infiltration program if planning to stay members of the Western Lehigh Sewer Partnership. It was recommended if joining with LCA to do the work, LCA should provide for review a scope, schedule and fee for services. Third, Ott, on behalf of the borough, should request from LCA flow records from 2010 on to determine the ongoing I/I activities effectiveness.

After a discussion, it was determined council decided to continue going to meetings because of the scope, cost and time involved in the project.

Ott also sent a letter highly recommending and detailing the scope of services showing line-item costs of setting up a geographic information system in the borough and suggested budgeting $26,250. After a brief discussion highlighting the many advantages of a GIS system in the borough, DeIaco asked Trexler to have Ott give a demonstration and speak with council.

A letter was received from the office of Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, announcing the availability of grants through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. It was suggested a grant could be used to help with the cost of repairs at the church if it were registered as a historical sight because the church might be on the same property as the furnace. Virginia Haas, manager of community revitalization and development in Lehigh County, is going to do a search into the history of the furnace to see if it is on the same property as the church. This could possibly make the church whole again and it would have the historical designation.

The borough received two ordinances from Lower Macungie Township for review and comments by Alburtis Council members. LMT wants to amend the Southwestern Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan Inter-Governmental agreement and the zoning ordinance and want to adopt the ordinances at the March 17 public meeting.

Council adopted three resolutions. Resolution No. 2016-5 appointing Ronald DeIaco to the planning commission; Resolution No. 2016-6 re-appointing Steven Mehl to the Alburtis Park and Recreation Commission and Resolution No. 2016-7 appointing Thomas Miller, June Ellen Claydon and Nick Evans to the zoning hearing board with John Feiertax serving as an alternate member.

Council wants citizens to know they are needed as there are vacancies to be filled. Any resident interested in volunteering to serve in the community should come to a meeting.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer reported she received phone calls about music at Alburtis Park. She advised the callers to come to council about the music. Trexler reminded Palmer they should go to Jaindl also as it is his property.

In response to a request from DeIaco about when Officer Tony Vanim will be ready to inspect trucks, Chief Palmer reported Vanim will be attending truck inspection classes May 16 through 27 and should be ready by June 8 if he completes three sections of the course.

“Tell him thank you and good luck,” DeIaco said.

Trexler informed council Service Electric Cable TV paid its franchise fee of $18,509.68 for 2015. Also, the police department received a reimbursement check for $950 from the Office of Attorney General’s Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program to provide support for efforts “in preventing drug and alcohol use among youth.”

The Bureau of Business Trust Fund Taxes notified the borough it will receive $522.55 representing revenues from pull-tabs sold by licensed distributors, tavern daily drawings and tavern raffles. Alburtis Tavern has a pull-tab machine in the bar area.

Some residents have asked Trexler about the possibility of paying their fees with credit cards. DeIaco advised Trexler to look into this because it would give the residents another option.

Solicitor David Knerr advised council even though the lease was approved, Verizon did not sign it yet because they are not spending money right now.