Without singing the song, “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford, Councilman Jeff Shubzda gave statistics at the May 16 Emmaus Borough Council meeting on trash and recyclables collected from Earth Day, which was held at Emmaus Community Park April 16.

A total of 132 30-gallon trash bags and two tires, 13,000 pounds of items were given to electronic recycling, 109 pounds of alkaline and 12 pounds of rechargeable batteries, 6,980 pounds of documents and 4 cubic yards of corrugated cardboard.

In other business, Councilman Nathan Brown said the 1803 House has come forward to ask council for a reimbursement on recent building repairs.

“They’ve had some significant structural integrity of the building that needed to come up to date.”

“The feeling is, it’s our property: it’s a structural issue,” Pepe said. “The way that our position has been, is if it’s a structural issue on our buildings, it’s our responsibility to fix those types of things and the improvements inside are their responsibilities.”

Pepe said it was an emergency repair and was not something they could come to council for first.

Brown proposed they make a motion to recommend putting the reimbursement of $4,885.96 into the 2017 budget.

Councilman Chris DeFrain noted he would hate to go to the 1803 House six months later and say council has reconsidered, if they decide during budget season not to include the reimbursement money.

“I think what they’re looking for right now is a commitment that we’re in good faith,” Pepe said.

The motion passed 7-0.

Council voted to support the application of the Key Stone Grant. The Emmaus Public Library will apply for this grant, which could provide an extra $400,000 toward a new facility.

Council unanimously decided to allow Girl Scout Troop 6571 to build a “Gaga Pit” in Emmaus Community Park. This octagon shaped 16 foot by 16 foot area will be filled with sand and be placed past the basketball court. The pit will be used for a safer form of dodgeball, where a person can only be hit from the waist down. The Troop also plans to put up signs with directions on how to play the game.

Council approved the installation of a 10 foot by 12 foot shed at Cintas Field.

Council also approved 7-0 to allow the Seven Generations Charter School to have a community day for their middle school students June 8. The school requested to use the pool 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a charge of $5 per student. The request was approved contingent upon if the pool would be ready at that time and if enough lifeguards are available for the day.

Ordinance 1140 passed its final reading which will remove a residential handicapped parking sign in front of 28 S. Fifth St.

Paulette Labenberg was reappointed to the recreation and entertainment commission with a term expiring June 7, 2019. Crystal Klein was also appointed to the recreation and entertainment commission with a term expiring June 7, 2019.