Editor’s Note: This article has been updated.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer initiated the discussion at the Oct. 28 Alburtis Borough Council meeting, delivering news of the proposed membership to the Topton Gun Club.

At the last meeting, council asked Palmer to see if the club could waive the membership fee. Palmer said not only did the club waive the fee but the board agreed to give free memberships to each borough officer.

Council then carried motions to approve meeting minutes and several reports.

Resident Steve Wirley attended the meeting to sit in on discussion about the bird sanctuary.

Borough Manager Sharon Trexler said she sent out letters to surrounding properties about the trash that littered the sanctuary.

Hunting is also not permitted in the sanctuary and posted signs are now in place to convey that message.

Wirley shared his frustration with the current state of the bird sanctuary with council.

“I’ve lived here my whole life ... my concern is bad stuff happening over [at the bird sanctuary],” Wirley said. “I’m always watching people drive by with garbage and I watch by the corner because that’s where the dumping ground is ... people don’t dump when I’m watching but I can’t do it 24 hours a day.”

Council thanked Wirley for his attempts to prevent residents from dumping trash in the sanctuary.

After some discussion, council member Hector Vasquez asked if the borough “could find a simple cost [solution].”

While council proposed purchasing “No Dumping” signs, the borough solicitor said an ordinance is already in effect.

“The difficulty is literally catching them in the act,” DeIaco said.

Trexler then informed council several residents from Ridgeview Drive and Front Street are missing mail.

Knerr said the borough can instill parking rules on state streets, as they currently do, to try to prevent any further issues where necessary.

“The issue is cars there during delivery time,” DeIaco said. “And being that delivery time is not the same time every day right now [does not help].”

Next, council carried a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-8, which identifies and permits Barry Isett and Associates to carry out zoning operations in the borough.

Trexler informed council the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs cut their costs in half, offering $225 for unlimited training next year exclusively to boroughs who paid $450 last year. Council plans to use PSAB services again next year and agreed to pay the fee.

As per the agenda, council moved on to talk about the holiday parade.

Vasquez inquired about simply holding a parade by the police and fire departments, as council canceled all other events out of safety concerns for COVID-19.

Ultimately, council agreed the run the fire department plans to hold with Santa on a truck would suffice.

Trexler told council Alburtis Police Officer Chris Lubenetski asked if he could use the Lock Ridge Church to hold Scout and town watch meetings. Council carried a motion to permit Lubenetski to do so.

Lastly, council asked Palmer to look into purchasing more personal protection equipment, as some departments ran low. Trexler said maintenance supervisor Donnie Derr informed her the borough received more supplies, but council asked Palmer to locate enough supplies for several months as a precaution.

“I would say get whatever it is that you need,” council Vice President Steven Hill said.

Councilmember Vanessa Taggart agreed.

“Make sure you have enough to get us through a few months, at least, because next thing you know the shelves are going to be empty and you aren’t going to be able to get anything,” Taggart said.