Northampton Borough Council approved a motion during its Aug. 5 meeting to close Canal Street Park, except for the trail, parking lots and athletic courts.

Councilman Anthony Pristash, who made the motion, cited what has long been seen as improper use, such as unapproved picnics in the park.

Reportedly, neighbors by the park have complained about loud noise and vulgarity at picnic parties and the mess people reportedly leave.

Pristash said he wants the park to be the “peaceful, quiet place it was years ago.”

After the meeting, Pristash reported there was a large van of people from New Jersey who recently held a loud picnic. They allegedly disposed of diapers, and defecated, by a tree.

“The (Northampton) people wanted a solution. We gave them one, an immediate solution to solve the Canal Street problem,” Pristash noted.

Increased police scrutiny and ordinance changes are being considered to stop any unofficial picnics or gatherings at the park.

“What we will lose with this action,” according to Pristash, includes “trash, pop-up tents, picnicking and people being afraid to walk the park.”

Pristash also made a motion to approve the planning and development of a half-acre rose garden in Canal Street Park. The motion carried.

Pristash noted Lehigh Valley Rose Society may donate roses and maintain the rose garden. There is no start date, at this point, for the rose garden development. He envisions a park that will be attractive enough to draw people to the park for its beauty.

In other business, council accepted the resignation of Stephen Kiss, a 33-year employee as a public works mechanic. Council applauded his tireless work and dedication to the borough.

Council also granted a request from Northampton Borough Fire Department to hold a pool party/training session at the municipal pool Aug. 16. The event begins 7 p.m. with all rescue personnel present. Lifeguards will not be needed.

Trevor Stone, of McKeever Lane, was selected to fill the council seat in the third ward, formerly held by Robert McHale, who resigned from council June 30. Mayor Thomas Reenock administered the oath of office, and Stone immediately took his seat on the dais.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst reported the municipal pool will close for the season Aug. 18. There are not enough lifeguards to operate the pool, he noted, as several guards are reportedly returning to college. Brobst also said the pool will temporarily close Aug. 10-13 and will reopen Aug. 14-17.

Brobst further noted, as of July 27, pool receipts were $69,809.

“This has been a banner year for the swimming pool,” he said.

It was reported the American Rescue Plan funding was approved July 16. It is expected half of the funding - $488,000 - will arrive soon. At a previous council meeting, it was reported the borough will receive a total of $976,000. The second half of the funds will arrive during 2022.

Council granted permission for Northampton Area School District to hold a color run Sept. 19 at Siegfried Elementary School, 1677 Lincoln Ave. The race is predominantly on school district property, but Laubach Avenue and Al Erdosy Drive would need traffic control.

Council also granted permission for one police officer to attend a Taser instruction class offered at Lehigh Township Police Department Sept. 2. The course cost is $375.

There remains a vacancy on the borough’s planning commission. Applications are available from the borough office or by visiting northamptonboro.com.

Edward Pany, curator of Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum, reported he recently had a meeting with a representative of CNBC, which offered to prepare a video to be aired on CNBC reviewing the history of the Lehigh Valley cement industry with a focus on the former Atlas Cement Company.

The council’s prepared packet included a flier for the borough’s Uptown Street Fair, planned for Sept. 11. The fair is sponsored by Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce.

The next borough council meeting is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave.