Emmaus Borough Council approved Resolution 2019-8 approving the preliminary/final subdivision and preliminary/final land development plans of Cedar Crest Chestnut Development, L.P. for the proposed Wawa at its Feb. 4 meeting.

The convenience store will be located at 150 N. 10th St., Emmaus, on a 2.29 acre tract of land owned by H.P. Altman Colonial Crest, L.P. The remaining 29.25 acre tract will continue to be used as an apartment complex except as provided in the plans.

A convenience store and gas pumps will be constructed along Cedar Crest Boulevard near the intersection with Chestnut Street.

Attorney Erich J. Schock, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, representing the developer, attended the meeting to answer any questions from council.

The developer will create Green Street, two stormwater management systems, a trail and a bridge, most of which were at the borough’s request.

The plan includes a restricted left turn exit at the proposed Cedar Crest Boulevard access drive.

Council Vice President Chris DeFrain confirmed all safety issues the borough can control are addressed in the resolution.

All permits will be obtained in the borough’s name as per the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Council President Brent A. Labenberg thanked the developer, “for listening to us and giving us exactly what we wanted.

“I’m excited about this,” Labenberg said. It is estimated between 20 to 40 people will be employed at the store.

Council member Teri Sorg-McManamon thanked the planning commission for their work.

Borough Engineer J. Bradley Youst was also thanked for his work on the project.

It is expected Wawa will open at the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020.

Also approved was Resolution 2019-5, for Phases IV and V for The Fields at Indian Creek. The project has a total of 85 lots with 14 in the borough. Phase IV includes 10 homes in the borough and Phase V has four homes.

A waiver request for the recreation fee was approved, as the developer will be creating a pedestrian crosswalk, updating handicap ramps, updating pedestrian crosswalk lights and will make the intersection safer along Cedar Crest Boulevard.

In other business, Councilmember Jeff Shubzda reported on a meeting with the new trash hauler, Whitetail Disposal Inc. Shubzda said the call volume has diminished to next to nothing. There is some concern, however, with changes to the recycling efforts.

Specifically, Whitetail has asked residents not to put shredded paper in the recycling bins. He said the reality is that shredded paper is compost and is not compatible with their machines. Residents have also been placing the shredded paper in plastic bags which are not recyclable.

Another change is contaminations. Bottles and plastic must be washed out or they are considered contaminated. Shubzda said recycling centers sometimes deny an entire load if most of the load is contaminated. Lastly, cardboard is easier for the hauler if it is broken down and placed in a bigger box.

Changes to recycling will be in the next borough newsletter. Council member Shana L. Baumgartner suggested the changes be placed on the borough’s Facebook page.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe announced offers of employment to the following individuals: Thomas Carl, master firefighter; Matthew Sadrovitz, master firefighter; Tyler Heicklen, firefighter 2; Joshua Smith, firefighter 2; Jacob Sommers, firefighter 2; William Beyer, firefighter 1, Curtis Diehl, firefighter 1 and Ian Mallery, firefighter 1.

Pepe said they received 20 applications, interviewed 13 candidates and chose eight for this round of hires. He said the next round of interviews will be in the late spring when the borough expects to hire an additional eight firefighters.

Pepe and council members praised the new firefighters and said the borough will be better because of their expertise.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert noted receiving a letter Feb. 2 commending the Emmaus police officers who responded to a no heat call on South 12th St., saying the officers went above and beyond. The officers stayed with the resident until a technician from Yeager’s Fuel was able to replace the equipment.