The Sept. 21 Emmaus Borough Council meeting began with public comment from a resident complaining about the excess runoff water and flooding affecting the main streets of Emmaus. Specifically, the resident said he had lost more than $75,000 due to flood damage on his property.

He asked council what could be done to address this problem.

“Some of the reasons why I think you’re seeing a little more water on the road itself … We’ve had to separate the water from the sewer,” Borough Manager Shane Pepe said. “So, you’re seeing more surface water because it’s not infiltrating the sewer as much.

“Part of our other issue over the past two years is our water tables are so high the ground can’t absorb it ... Our park has been flooded twice in the past three years ... So, one of the issues over the past two years is the ground water swelled, so that water is not going down near as fast. You can see that in a regular rainstorm,” Pepe said.

Pepe continued to explain that adding sewage drains is fine, but the pipe underground is currently not large enough and if the pipe is deemed to be an issue, it could cost millions of dollars.

Later in the meeting, Pepe introduced an item on the agenda that addressed this issue directly. In the borough manager’s report, Pepe presented information on the multimodal transportation grant. There are two versions of this grant. One version is through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the other through the Department of Community and Economic Development. If awarded the grant, the money will be used for reconstruction of South Second Street from Main Street, over the railroad tracks, under the railroad bridge and to the borough boundary.

Construction is estimated to be $2 million and the version of the grant awarded will determine borough costs. If awarded through the DCED, the borough will be responsible for 20 percent of the grant, which was estimated to be near $400,000. If awarded through PennDOT, the borough will not have to pay utilities, which will lessen the cost to the borough.

In other business, Jessica O’Donnell and Ashley Lorah from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce were in virtual attendance to thank and congratulate Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert as the mayor of the year. The chamber recently gave Gilbert two awards for 2020 Mayor of the Year and Most Entertaining Mayor of the Year.

A request was made for a street closure from Golden and South Fourth streets to the rear of 235 Fourth St. The mayor will make a decision on this at a later time. The last piece of communication was a thank-you letter for Lexa Shallcross, president of the Emmaus Rotary Club. She received a thank-you letter from the Emmaus Ambulance Corps for the COVID-19 supplies donation made to the corps.

During the mayor’s report, Gilbert announced two resolutions. The first was Proclamation 2020-494 recognizing Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-10. Gilbert urged all residents to check their kitchens for fire hazards, to use safe cooking practices and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of fire and emergency services during Fire Prevention Week.

Next, the mayor announced Proclamation 2020-493. This sets trick or treat night 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30. The mayor decided to allow trick or treat this year with an extra half-hour added to make sure social distancing is maintained. Safety guidelines will be posted on the borough website.

Council President Brent Labenberg brought special attention to Pepe’s recent awarding of SHRM certification, which provides Pepe professional recognition in human resources.

Labenberg announced a request for additional parking spots for the Active Learning Center. The request was approved for 10 extra spots on Jubilee Street.

Labenberg’s last announcement was that Emmaus took first place for the Susquehanna Municipal Trust’s safety score. The borough scored 125 out of 125 to take the top prize after slipping down the ranks last year.

“It was a change of culture,” Pepe said. “There were all these things that we just did that were getting people hurt all the time … This tells our employees we’re interested in protecting their safety.”

Additionally, a speed bump on the corner of Keystone and Harrison Street was requested. Gilbert has asked the police to do surveillance to determine another opportunity besides speed bumps, which the borough prefers not to install.

Pepe said planning for the Reverse Halloween Parade is in full swing and they fully anticipate the event occurring. Borough residents should look for a final date and time posted soon.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Oct. 5.