Four new police officers and a new director of emergency services/fire chief were welcomed at the Oct. 3 Emmaus Borough Council meeting.

Police officers Carlos Marrero, Don MaGee, Melanie Sayres and Kevin Miller were sworn in by Mayor Winfield Iobst followed by applause from borough council members, audience members and a number of officers who came to the meeting to support the new members of the police department.

Also sworn in was John Price, director of emergency services/fire chief.

Following the meeting, Price talked to The Press about the appointment.

“I’m glad and excited to be here,” Price said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know all the participants in town – town leaders, medics, firefighters and members of the business community.”

In other business, council approved ordinance 1146 with a 6-1 vote increasing the salary of borough council members and the mayor effective Jan. 1, 2018 and beyond.

The ordinance states members of borough council are permitted to earn a maximum salary of $3,250 per year. Council members currently receive $2,001 per year and the president receives $2,400 per year.

The mayor currently receives $2,820 per year.

The current compensation for council members and the mayor was adopted Dec. 26, 1973; they have not received a compensation increase for approximately 43 years.

The ordinance states, “Members of Emmaus Borough Council who are successfully elected and take the oath of office on or after Jan. 1, 2018 shall receive compensation set in the amount of $2,800.”

The ordinance also proposes the council president “whose oath of office is on or after Jan. 1, 2018 shall receive compensation set in the amount of $3,250,”

Roy Anders voted against the ordinance.

“I do not believe we should do this at this time,” Anders said. In addition to budgetary reasons, Anders said “Many of our residents have not received raises.”

Council Vice President Wesley R. Barrett said no one voting for this ordinance can accept this increase. This is for future members.

Council President Brent A. Labenberg, Barrett and Roy D. Anders Jr. have terms which end Jan. 1, 2018.

Terms for Nathan Brown, Chris DeFrain, Lee Ann Gilbert and Jeff Shubzda end Jan. 1, 2020.

“This was brought up two years ago,” Barrett said. No ordinance was officially created.

“I was not for it when I read it,” Shubzda said. He voted in favor of the ordinance since it is for future council members.

The ordinance will be advertised for a second reading.

Ordinance 1145 removing a residential handicapped parking sign in front of 227 N. Seventh St. and 520 N. Third St. was approved.

Also approved was a contract with Utility Services Group to conduct infiltration and inflow maintenance work on the sewer stormwater separation project.

Council approved the hiring of Ryan Palsgrove, of Allentown, as a temporary part-time employee who will serve in the role of intern, environmental specialist/MS4 project manager. The borough applied for an intern grant through the Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management and are awaiting the reply.

The rate is $15 per hour working approximately 29.5 hours per week. Palsgrove has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science. Borough Manager Shane Pepe said he will have a need for an additional intern to complete the GIS work being done by the borough.

“These are not projects that we want to do,” Pepe said. “These are projects we have to do. The way of doing business is changing. We don’t have a choice.”

Council approved the purchase of a 2016 van for a detective at a cost of $22,600 – $4,500 less than buying a 2017 version.

Resolution No. 2016-45 was approved authorizing the sale of 4052 S. Second St. The property is approximately 18.4 acres and is “steeply sloped and unimproved woodland with a pond.” The property was appraised by Raymond C. Geiger Jr. who estimated the value in excess of $1,500 which will be sold by public bid or auction.

Nancy Reimert resigned as secretary of the Emmaus Board of Health after 28 years. Her resignation is effective at the end of her term Dec. 31.

Kathy Yaindl’s appointment to the Emmaus Board of Health was approved.

Arthur ‘Chuck’ Lowitzer requested to hold a prayer rally at Triangle Park 1 p.m. Oct. 15. Approximately 10 to 15 people are expected to attend. Lowitzer requested to hang a banner expressing the purpose which is to “pray for our country.”

Council did not approve the banner.

The mayor declared Oct. 9 to 15 as Fire Prevention Week in the borough and urged “all the people of Emmaus to find out how old the smoke alarms in their homes are, to replace them if they’re more than 10 years old and to participate in the many public safety activities and efforts of Emmaus’ emergency services during Fire Prevention Week.”