Alburtis Borough Council began its Aug. 12 meeting by covering various reports.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer informed council Chief Robert Palmer received the helmets and shields he ordered. She also inquired if council would consider an ordinance for unattached trailers.

Borough Manager Sharon Trexler told council she would research if other boroughs enforce similar ordinances. Some council members raised concerns about specifications - which streets the ordinance would apply to and whether they need more signs to enforce the ordinance. However, borough solicitor Dave Knerr explained such an ordinance could be created easily.

Lastly, Palmer shared her gratitude for the maintenance and fire departments for their assistance with the flood.

“I think they’ve done a heck of a job for us,” Palmer said.

Council then approved the meeting minutes of July 29 and carried a motion to approve bills for payment, the treasurer’s report and engineer’s report.

Council also reviewed and carried a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-6 which pertained to Interim Act 537.

Next, council discussed borough engineer Donnie Derr’s maintenance update report, primarily focusing on Derr’s plans to blacktop Ash Alley, East Stone Alley and Mica Alley. Some council members proposed Derr primarily focus on Ash Alley and move the remaining two alley projects onto the 2021 budget. Ultimately, council decided to permit Derr to move forward in blacktopping Ash Alley before determining what other alleys he can begin renovating.

Trexler brought council’s attention to CRC Group’s “Cyber Liability Quick Indication Application.” Council agreed to approach their current insurance agency to evaluate what coverage they may have in cyber security.

Following that, council discussed possible alternatives to the annual holiday festival amid health concerns due to the pandemic. President Ron DeIaco proposed holding the festival in the spring. Councilmember Vanessa Taggart instead suggested addressing Halloween first. Whereas Palmer advised “siding with caution and not have [the holiday festival] this year,” to prevent any wasted time and money.

Council agreed to table the discussion until next month.

Lastly, council member Hector Vasquez presented the idea of physically thanking those who assisted in the flood cleanup.

“It was a lot of work and I just thought as a token of our gratitude for their services and continued services,” Vasquez said. “ … just something to say thank you.”

Councilmember John Aleszczyk liked Vasquez’s idea and proposed buying the fire department pizza and ice cream during a training night and buying the maintenance workers lunch. Palmer seconded this idea as well.

Council then agreed to continue applying for grants due to consistent “luck and fortune,” according to DeIaco before moving into an executive session on a personnel issue.