Alburtis Borough Council members discussed payment for standard pipe services at its June 26 meeting

“All of the rehab work is done, the dig and replace is what is left,” Borough Manager Sharon Trexler told council.

“They did an air test on the pipes which held up nicely. It looks like the jobs are being done correctly and we’re getting a good result from it,” President Ronald DeIaco added. He then asked council for a motion to pay this bill, which was carried with a unanimous vote.

The next topic discussed was a change of use permit for 339 Franklin St. There was some speculation among the council of what would be the best course of action; a variance or a special exception, both of which would require a trip to the zoning hearing board. A motion was carried stating the council does not object to the property owner going before the board for review.

In other business, council discussed the implementation of bollards for South Main Street.

“As much as I want the bollards there, I think it’s going to cause a lot of problems with trucks getting stuck” Councilwoman Sherryann Oels stated. “I don’t know how the chief feels about these, but if they’re there, the trucks are going to have a really hard time.”

DeIaco suggested tabling the issue until next month so council could get Alburtis Police Chief Robert Palmer’s opinion.

Council reviewed a funding request from Meals on Wheels and the different municipalities which have provided funding. Council will decide whether or not they will provide funding at the next meeting.

The pool submitted a request for a permit for a replacement shed. The permit was $50 and Trexler asked council to waive the permit fee, to which a motion was carried to do so with one opposition. Next, council reviewed a request for a portable toilet at the playground. A motion was made to put one by the football field for the summer months which was carried with a unanimous vote. Additionally, Second Vice President Kathleen Raines requested to put in a swing set next year at the playground.

“The teeter-totter is very popular and the kids really like it, and it’s been ages since anything has been updated down there.”

Deiaco agreed and said “I like your thinking.”

To conclude the meeting, the council looked at an update for the multimodal grant of $493,000 they received. “We’re working with PennDOT [Pennsylvania Department of Transportation]. We had a long meeting today with PennDOT, so that’s being worked on. They’re still working on the plans. We also walked Lockridge Lane and that whole area, and they were amazed at how bad it is down there. They’re going to get us something together to submit by July 31 and that’s going to be a big grant” Trexler said. “There are options.”

It was announced there will be a community yard sale Aug. 24 and blasting for the new warehouse should be happening soon.

In other news, Trexler received a certificate of achievement for the successful completion of the certified borough officials program June 11. Congratulations were offered for this achievement.