On Feb. 2, the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter. Older traditions worldwide consider Feb. 1 or 2 as the beginning of spring.

Bath Borough Council’s Feb. 1 meeting was an amalgamation of the groundhog’s dire prediction and the older traditions’ teachings.

Experiencing what would be a 25-plus-inch snowfall over three days could not be ignored. Talking about warm weather events was also on council’s and attendees’ minds.

Potatoes are grown from tubers. Tubers are, more or less, seeds that transform into potato plants with the arrival of spring.

The old traditions note Feb. 1 marks the midpoint between winter and spring. With days getting longer, the tubers and other seeds underground are awakening in preparation to sprout.

This awakening might have stirred in council members’ minds as there was a Spuds & Suds Festival discussion at the meeting. The discussion was generated by Greater Bath Area Chamber of Commerce, which helps organize the event. A representative asked if the festival will occur in 2021.

Spuds & Suds is an annual celebration in August commemorating the history of the potato-growing industry in Bath and surrounding communities.

The event is a street festival with great food, refreshments and live bands. The attendance is outstanding.

Council agreed to begin the festival planning stages but said an official decision will be made in April or May whether to hold the popular event.

In another warm-weather celebration discussion, planning for the annual Bath Community Days, which is run principally by Bath Fire Department, has not yet begun. The department plans to approach council at the March meeting to present its plans for the 2021 multiday celebration.

Bouncing back from warm weather to cold, council reviewed the efforts to deal with the near-record snowfall. The public works department was praised for its work plowing the snow.

Reached after the meeting, borough Manager Brad Flynn said the borough parking lots are open at no cost to residents during snow emergencies.

In a Nazareth Area Council of Governments report, it was noted the group continues its work on the joint municipal comprehensive plan.

“The borough is planning aggressive capital outlays for 2021. Projects include reconstruction of Penn Street from Washington Street to Broad Street, reconstruction of Easter Terrace and milling and paving of Memorial Drive and Independence Street,” Flynn said.

Council is considering Ordinance 2021-700.

“This ordinance will provide enough cash for the borough to perform a refinance of approximately $147,000 of debt and cash to perform the reconstruction of Penn Street from Washington Street to Broad Street,” Flynn said. “The refinance of the older debt is quite remarkable considering the borough, in the last three years, acquired just over $1 million in loans to perform capital road improvements, purchase the new borough hall and remodel the new borough hall. With the sale of the former municipal building and the receipt of strong tax collections, the borough reduced its indebtedness to about $147,000.”

This former debt will be refinanced at a lower interest rate while also allowing the borough to make substantial capital improvements.

Council was presented with the ordinance that provides for a 10-year payback at a 2.75-percent interest rate. The borough will move to advertise the ordinance and seek Department of Community and Economic Development approval.

“Closing on the funding could occur before the end of March,” Flynn said.

The next Bath Borough Council meeting is 6:30 p.m. March 1. It is a virtual meeting, with limited in-person attendance available. Visit bathborough.org for the call-in number and access codes for the meeting.