Alburtis Police Chief Robert Palmer began the Oct. 25 borough council meeting by talking about conducting interviews looking for a new officer. Chief Palmer explained the department is currently down three men.

A motion was also approved for the chief to buy more ammunition. Chief Palmer also mentioned the truck situation in the borough is pretty much the same.

Council approved a motion to put up reflective stakes between Front Street and the railroad tracks. Alburtis Mayor Kathleen Palmer explained there will be no cost to the borough. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will install the stakes themselves.

When council was looking at the bills for payment, there was a discussion about the subscription to The Morning Call. Council discussed canceling the subscription to The Morning Call due to high subscription costs and a decline in interest.

Council also discussed purchasing a truck for the maintenance department. The truck would be a 4 by 4 regular cab including a snow prep package and LED clearance lights.

Resident Gary DeRoner had concerns regarding communications using the electronic sign outside borough hall. He was unsure why borough council meetings were not listed for two weeks.

The reason there was no message had to do with Borough Manager Sharon Trexler being out of the office for that period of time. Council agreed there had to be a backup set up.

DeRoner was frustrated there was nothing on the message board regarding the retirement of Sgt. Jay Ruff.

Four quotes from four different companies were received for a 2017 Ford F350. Ray Price Ford had the lowest quote at $29,989 and Hondru Ford had the highest quote at $34,999. Sands Ford had a bid of $30,043.84 for a 2018 Ford F350. There would be an additional charge of $5,280 for a plow and an additional $400 for lettering.

There was also a discussion about the Optimus Risk Services workers compensation insurance. Council will have to create a safety manual for all borough employees.

The Lower Macungie Township Hearing Board scheduled a hearing Oct. 24 to look at an appeal involving a variance to Ordinance 1998-11 regarding an ATT and Verizon cell tower on the 3592 Gun Club Road property in Alburtis.

There were questions about curbing and sidewalks regarding the Walnut Street plan. Council wanted to make sure all people are treated equally.

If the bid gets too high for the project, another option discussed was having the borough do the project themselves and not include the sidewalks at all. Some council members argued the slopes and hills on one side of the street may not be suitable for sidewalks

Alburtis Borough Council meets on the second and last Wednesdays of the month. The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in Alburtis Borough Hall.