Editor’s Note: This report has been updated from the copy printed in the March 3 edition of The Press.

The March 1 virtual Emmaus Borough Council meeting started with an announcement from Councilman Chad Balliet. He said a milestone was reached in Emmaus, as Main Street staple David’s Electric reached its 75th year in business. The David family, now in their fourth generation of business, claim they have the longest-running business in Emmaus. Council welcomed any businesses to come forward if they have been open longer.

Councilwoman Teri Sorg- McManamon followed by announcing the first week of March is East Penn Restaurant Week. The goal is to get more residents to come out and eat at the local restaurants as local businesses need the support.

In communications, a request came from Cedarbrook Sportsmen for a donation of $50. This was approved by council.

Balliet asked for an update on the Verizon agreement (5G Aesthetics Ordinance) at the March 1 Emmaus Borough Council meeting. Solicitor Jeffrey Dimmich said they are close and have been working for the past six months to get this finished. He said Verizon wants to get this completed as soon as possible. Conversations are being finalized on specific aesthetics.

In other business, Cityworks provided an invoice to the borough for public works software. “It’s a GIS-based program,” Borough Manager Shane Pepe said. “This program is 10 times as powerful.”

GIS stands for Geographic Information System. This type of system allows users to gather spatial data and produce complex maps and 3D scenes for research and development. Council approved the invoice for $31,925.

There were three items for official action in health, sanitation and codes. Resolution 2021-7 approved the Emmaus Turkey Hill sewage facilities planning module.

Resolution 2021-10 was approved. This resolution gives “conditional approval of preliminary/final land development and lot consolidation plans for The Annex at The Fields of Indian Creek.” The area is about 5.2 acres. Developers plan to build 22 additional units on the property. These homes are estimated from $300,000 to $500,000.

The last item was a request from Wawa to receive a credit reduction. Balliet said Wawa has consistently met its timeline goals and deserves to receive this reduction. Pepe said April 8 is the target open date for the new Wawa in Emmaus.

All items were approved by council.

Resolution 2021-8 was approved in general administration. This was for a CDBG-CV grant application. This is a COVID-19 specific grant. It will be for a new fire alert system at the fire station. The new system and installation will cost $70,000. The grant will cover the bill.

In budget and finance, the bill list totaled $504,149.49.

Junior Councilman Jonas Hausmann gave a short report commending the Keystone contest winners from the Emmaus School District. He said there were many winners from the district.

There were multiple items in the borough manager’s report.

Jermaine Husset was hired as a full-time public works employee following his probationary period. “We are very happy to have Jermaine as a team member,” Pepe said.

Additionally, Noah Karl finished his probationary period with the fire department. Ryan Crawford, Richard DeFiore and Zachary Keiser were all promoted to Firefighter 2. Michael Himes and Joshua Schmale were hired as part-time firefighters.

Pepe continued by praising the performance of the Emmaus Fire Department and said the department wanted another year extension to their current union contract. Pepe said he was grateful, as the contract is beneficial to both the borough and department. This already had the necessary approvals.

The meeting closed with an executive session on personnel matters.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will take place 7 p.m. March 15. Members of the public are welcome to access the virtual meeting through the borough website.