At the July 28 Alburtis Borough Council meeting, it was announced council member Stephen Kaufman resigned from council via email due to an employment change. Council member Hector Vazquez made a motion to accept the resignation with regret. Council President Ron DeIaco added Kaufman was a good person and will be missed on council.

Police Chief Robert Palmer announced he has lost two part-time officers and would like to hire Cory Fluck back as a part-time officer. The motion passed 4-2 with council members Kathleen Raines and Vanessa Taggart voting no. Fluck will begin once he qualifies on the gun range.

Palmer also recommended hiring another full-time officer before the end of the year. Council discussed hiring an outside contractor to complete background checks as well as requiring polygraphs. Palmer plans on retiring after the first of the year.

Council member John Aleszczyk noted complaints on social media about speeding. Palmer said speed timing is done on Front and Franklin streets but it takes two officers to complete this task. Aleszczyk suggested a stop sign be placed on Second and Main streets which he said is a dangerous intersection. DeIaco said he would like to see a stop sign on Church and Franklin streets. Borough Manager Sharon Trexler will check with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on signs. She requested one for Church and Franklin streets and the request was denied.

In other business, Borough Engineer Jeff Ott explained the concept behind the work to be done on Windsor Road and Chestnut Circle West. His team performed studies to determine where the water is coming from which is flooding the yards of the homes on Chestnut Street. When it rains, the water drains through several yards on Windsor Road and goes directly across School Street. Ott said this will be alleviated by installing additional storm drains on Windsor Road and on Chestnut Circle West. A grant was received from the state and Ott said this is the most economical way to fix the issue.

Ott also told council he received a photo of a basket to be installed into a manhole to catch mop heads from entering the sewer station. He wants to see drawings of the basket before it would be installed. Vazquez asked if a camera could be placed into the system and was told it would be damaged quickly. Trexler will check to see if the ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act] funds received can be used to fix the problem.

Trexler told council she has received complaints from residents about the condition of several properties on Franklin Street. One property, 345 Franklin St., has been in constant disarray. Two violation notices have been issued on that property and fines will begin soon. Trexler will send a letter regarding overgrown weeds and a tree hanging over the sidewalk.

There was a discussion on cars parked in yards. DeIaco said there is no ordinance saying residents cannot park in their yards.

Trexler asked council if they would like to hold the holiday festival this year. Council agreed they would like to hold it and Trexler will begin asking businesses for donations.

An executive session was called for personnel issues.