Alburtis Borough Council met via Zoom 7 p.m. Jan. 27 to review reports, public comments and discuss plans and finances.

Mayor Kathleen Palmer did not deliver a report; however, she did address President Ron DeIaco’s concerns about a recent fire. Palmer explained the fire occurred at the apartments near the banquet hall and Angel Network is asking for donations for the family.

Council carried motions to approve the meeting minutes of Jan. 13 and bills for payment.

Upon reviewing the fiscal consultant’s report, council member Stephen Kaufman explained he “thinks [the borough] did a good job for the year.

“This is us finishing out the year and obviously we had less revenue than we expected and fewer expenses than we expected because we deferred several projects,” Kaufman said. “It was a tough year, but we finished out OK.”

Vice President Steven Hill and DeIaco agreed. A motion to accept the report carried.

Opening up to public comment, resident Matt Mumma and neighbors Mehmet Birtek and Chad Nevel attended the meeting to voice concerns about a trail to Lockridge Park that will go behind their properties. Mumma explained he did not understand the need for the additional pathway as one to an unofficial entrance of the park already exists. His neighbors agreed.

Hill inquired if the three opposed the installation. Mumma, Birtek and Nevel said yes.

“It’s too close to the house and it’s also going to damage part of the wooded area to get into the parkway,” Mumma said.

After locating the lot in question on maps, DeIaco proposed walking where the trail will go.

“I would like to go down there and walk the area you were talking about and see where the other entrance is to Lockridge because I didn’t realize there was another entrance there,” DeIaco said.

Hill questioned if anything can be done about the plan.

“The plan’s been approved. Is it hard to get an approved plan changed?” Hill asked.

Borough Solicitor Dave Knerr voiced his thoughts on the issue.

“I’m not convinced you can go ahead and make a change like that because it was built for the benefit of the people in the whole development,” Knerr said. “If we’re talking about something entirely different, a north-south … access from the street into the park … you could probably make a change there if that’s what you wanted to do.”

DeIaco explained he still wants to visit the area but assured the residents Borough Manager Sharon Trexler will call the lot owner, David Jaindl, to discuss any solutions they could explore if possible. DeIaco said the borough will “get back to [the residents] by next meeting or before if we have any information.”

DeIaco also informed council the borough is still seeking “updated costs” for the basket system in the sewer station. He asked to table the item until next meeting. Council agreed to do so.

Trexler then shared council can change tax collector compensation if they wish to. Council carried a motion to maintain the compensation for the tax collector at its current rate.

At the last meeting, council asked Trexler to reach out to Modern Power Group about their generator agreement and inquire about a multiyear discount. She reported back no such offer exists.

Before adjourning the meeting, council member Vanessa Taggart shared some concerns about garbage collection issues.

“Last Friday was garbage collection and folks on Racite [Road] didn’t get their garbage collected until 8 p.m.,” Taggart said.

Palmer asked if the borough can do anything about the matter, noting “it seems like something is happening weekly.”

Hill said he felt sending out a fine [to the garbage collection compay] per house would suitably draw attention to the issue.

“I don’t see any problem with sending out fines because this is happening way too often,” he said.

Council raised some concerns about how to account for what houses did not have their garbage collected on time. Knerr proposed asking someone to sweep the neighborhood once they receive phone calls about late garbage collection. Trexler and Palmer volunteered to probe the neighborhood if necessary.

While some council members wanted to fine the garbage company, council member John Aleszczyk shared his sympathy for those working in the industry amid the pandemic.

“I feel for the garbage people because since the pandemic there’s a lot more garbage,” Aleszczyk said. “… A lot more recycling. That’s no reason for being late though, but I understand if they have a full truck and need to come back.”

Council agreed, though council member Hector Vasquez added “if they would just communicate more it would be easier to be empathetic.”