President Ron DeIaco talked about the importance of voting at the Oct. 10 Alburtis Borough Council meeting.

In other business, DeIaco gave an update on the storm pipe installation.

“The final piece of storm pipe was laid at Walnut Street yesterday. The PennDOT [Pennsylvania Department of Transportation] inspector said it was the finest job he had ever seen,” DeIaco said. This was followed by a round of applause.

The 5G network of the future and how it will impact the borough, its residents and the right-of-way was brought up by Councilperson Stephen Kaufman. He wanted to make sure the borough has this covered and is concerned about fees and if this will replace cable television over time. Also, Ordinance No. 534 addressing right-of-way was passed two years ago Kaufman said.

“5G networks are a combination of cellular technology and boosted Wi-Fi,” Kaufman wrote in a memo. “This will allow much greater data speeds for cellphones and will also allow wireless delivery of Internet services to homes.”

The 5G network could also require cell towers or antennas on every block, FCC fees, borough fees, the right-of-way and the possibility of people cancelling their cable to use Internet services only.

Solicitor David Knerr said Pennsylvania is working on a bill of its own but said it will be changed many times. There was a hearing and a lot of lobbying has been done. Twenty other states have already passed legislation, Knerr said, and he said he is curious to see what Pennsylvania is going to do. Officials will watch what’s happening in the state and in Washington while Kauffman will be watching Harrisburg.

Council passed a motion to budget $6,000 to do a study on a gravity sewer extension and authorize Jeff Ott of Ott Consulting, borough engineer to start the process in the next month or two.

Maintenance Supervisor Donnie Derr reported the pump station is on its last legs.

“This is a really big thing if we do it. You’re much better off if you don’t have a pump station,” Knerr said.

Council passed a motion to pay Standard Pipe Services, LLC $77,631.75, less 10 percent retainage, for work they did on the 2018 Sanitary Sewer Clean & Televise Rehabilitation Project.

A motion was passed to pay Zgura’s Concrete Services, Inc. $15,193, as recommended by Ott, for work done for the Walnut Street multi-modal project.

Borough Manager Sharon Trexler advised council she will pursue a quote she received from Public Alert Softline Data, Inc. for public alert software – level three for $550 a year.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer reported she performed a wedding Oct. 6. She also gave council a $150 check for the fire department. Palmer also read a message from Ted and Lori Miller, of Racite Road, asking why Macungie charges $46.08 for refuse and Alburtis charges $47.09. The amount Alburtis charges is based on a formula said DeIaco and he does not know how Macungie calculates their charges.

The next council meeting will be Oct. 29 as Halloween is on Oct. 31.

Following adjournment, an executive session was held regarding personnel matters.