At the Jan. 6 Alburtis Borough Council meeting, members appointed and designated numerous borough positions, in addition to discussing reports and payments.

First, Mayor Kathleen Palmer swore in council members Vanessa Taggart, Stephen Kaufman, John Aleszczyk and council President Ron DeIaco.

Next, council carried a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-1 which appointed the officers of borough council and Steven Mehl, chair of the vacancy board. Borough officers remained the same with Steven Hill appointed vice president and Kathleen Raines serving as second vice president.

Following that, council reviewed and carried a motion to approve Resolution No. 2020-2, which appointed the following: Sharon Trexler as borough manager, Tracy Malinkowski as borough treasurer, David Knerr as borough solicitor, Ott Consulting, Inc. as borough engineer, Chris A. DeFrain as fiscal consultant, David Kutzor as zoning officer and Barry Isett and Associates as both construction code inspector and enforcement official and property maintenance code enforcement official.

Borough council then designated chairmen and members of the highway committee, sewer committee, water committee, budget/property/insurance committee, public health/safety/sanitation committee and policy/personnel/recycling committee.

Aleszczyk takes place as chairman of the highway committee alongside members Hector Vasquez and Steven Hill. Vasquez serves as chairman of the sewer committee, with Hill and Aleszczyk as members. Chair of the water committee is Hill, joined by members Vasquez and Aleszczyk.

Designated chairman of the budget/property/insurance committee is Kaufman with members Taggart and Raines. Raines then takes the position of chairman for the public health/safety/sanitation committee and Taggart and Kaufman serve as members. Taggart serves as designated chairman for the policy/personnel/recycling committee alongside members Kaufman and Raines.

Chief of Police Robert Palmer also attended the meeting to deliver the police report. In his report, Palmer discussed fine rates, maintenance and area safety concerns.

Palmer said a resident of 329 Franklin Street inquired about installing a handicap spot directly across their home. Council evaluated this request, discussing the recent handicap spot installed near the residence in question and whether placing them together would appropriately cater to both residents in need.

Palmer also informed the council he would like to submit a request to hire another part-time officer.

Following Palmer’s report, council carried motions to approve minutes of the Dec. 23, 2019 meeting, bills for payment and accept the treasurer’s report.

Next, council discussed the 2020 Assistance for Strays contract between The Sanctuary at Haafsville and Alburtis Borough.

The contract explains The Sanctuary at Haafsville will provide the following services: accept stray dogs from the public and police, provide contracts to trap, neuter and return feral cats, accept stray friendly cats from the public based on available space, provide space for stray cats and dogs for 72 hours before putting such animals up for adoption and provide veterinary care for all strays.

Alburtis borough will pay a $50 fee per cat and a $110 fee per dog. If an animal requires after-hours emergency care, the borough is responsible for the initial $150. The Sanctuary at Haafsville will cap a total of $500 for services from the borough for the 2020 calendar year.

Lastly, council discussed correspondence between Lower Macungie Township and Alburtis for approval of the improvement of the Orchard Road railroad crossing and the Schoeneck Road railroad crossing.