Emmaus Borough Council met Aug. 16 with a large crowd in attendance for three special presentations. Matthew West was sworn in by Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert as ambulance chief.

Next, Sgt. Adam Knoblauch and Sgt. Adam Polster were sworn in as police officers with the Emmaus Police Department.

The final presentation was for retiring Solicitor Jeffrey Dimmick, who was attending his final meeting. Council President Brent Labenberg and Councilman Chad Balliet presented Dimmick with a plaque and a large gift basket. He served the borough for almost a decade.

On Aug. 9, council met very quickly to approve Sara Jarrett-Eaton as assistant borough manager. She will officially start next month. Jarrett-Eaton is a 2016 graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in public administration.

After photos were taken, the meeting moved to a long list of communications.

A fire pit request came in from the Fifth Street Cross at the Emmaus Compost Center Thursday evenings. This request was sent to the fire department.

Emmaus Main Street Partners sent in a request for the South Fourth Street “Block Party” celebrating full storefronts along the street. The event is scheduled 6-8 p.m. Sept. 24. This was approved by the council.

There were additional requests from the Emmaus Main Street Partners for Old Fashioned Christmas and 2022 Tunes on the Triangle. Tunes on the Triangle will potentially have alcohol at events next year. These events are yearly staples in the borough.

The owner of Yergey Brewing, James Yergey, presented a last-minute communication item. He wanted approval for help with his upcoming grand opening. The new location is at Fourth and Main streets.

In unfinished business, Ordinance No. 1212 was approved in a 6-1 vote. This authorizes the borough to make regulations as necessary, entitled “use of streets by processions and assemblages” requiring permits for gatherings in Emmaus and providing penalties and enforcement.

In new business, Ordinance No. 1213 and No. 1214 were passed. Ordinance No. 1213 will add a residential disabled parking sign and assign a permitted parking spot on the public street located in front of 902 Evergreen St., as well as in front of 221 N. Seventh St..

Ordinance No. 1214 repeals Ordinance No. 1198, which restricts parking at certain times on a portion of Arch Street. However, due to road updates, Arch Street is now a thruway so the past ordinance is not necessary.

The new ordinance establishes its own parking restrictions at Arch Street Park. Parking will be prohibited during school days 6-9 a.m. and 2-5 p.m.

In general administration, Labenberg said the natural gas contract needed to be approved. Snyder Brothers, who is the current gas provider, was recommended by Borough Manager Shane Pepe because they came in at the lowest price. However, other quotes will be coming in. A decision was not made.

The Emmaus Emergency Services submitted a proposal to budget and finance for a new ambulance. The current quote for a 2022 F450 four-wheel drive ambulance is $254,506.91.

Budget and Finance Chair Chris DeFrain motioned for the borough manager to create a proposal request for an ambulance subscription program.

Councilwoman Teri Sorg-McManamon announced in community relations Emmaus has won HGTV’s Home Town Takeover contest. A community member submitted Emmaus into their mural sweepstakes and Emmaus was randomly selected out of 10,000 submissions. The community relations, planning and development committee selected to paint the side of the Altitude Marketing building. HGTV will supply and fund the mural.

The borough’s manager report closed the meeting. Gabriel McNabb and Justin Sommers resigned from their positions with the Emmaus Fire Department.

On a positive note, Giovanni Sicurello, Nicholas Chiaverelli and Timothy Kline were appointed as volunteer firefighters.

Lastly, Luke Breidinger was hired as a part-time transport van driver.

The next borough council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at borough hall. The meeting can be accessed via Zoom through the Emmaus Borough website.