Sept. 21 marked the second Emmaus Borough Council meeting for the month and the night was highlighted by a slew of ordinances introduced in new business.

Councilman Roy Anders announced the Emmaus Halloween Parade is looking for more volunteers and donations. More information can be found on the Emmaus Borough website.

The meeting began with a Volunteer of the Year presentation. Emmaus, represented by Councilwoman Teri Sorg-McManamon, gives out a yearly volunteer award to recognize those in the community who do fantastic work for the borough but don’t necessarily want the recognition.

The 2019 Volunteers of the Year were the Emmaus Veterans Committee. Veterans replace the flags at veteran grave sites. They organize the Emmaus Memorial Day activities and hold a flag retirement ceremony once a year. They also have an Honor Guard, which is a group of local veterans who perform military funerals for fallen veterans.

Council President Brent Labenberg and Borough Manager Shane Pepe were very thankful for all the various work they do for the community.

The 2020 Volunteers of the Year were the first responders of the Borough of Emmaus. The borough thanked them for all their help and bravery during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the special presentation, the minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

In communications, a joint environmental advisory council volunteer application was received. Additionally, there was a resignation from the Emmaus Arts Commission.

Ordinances 1213, 1214 and 1215 were read for the second time in new business.

Ordinance 1213 adds a residential disabled parking sign and assigns a permitted parking spot at the front of 902 Evergreen St., as well as adding a disabled parking sign in front of 221 N. Seventh St.

Ordinance 1214 restricts parking at certain times on a portion of Arch Street and establishes parking restrictions at Arch Street Park.

Ordinance 1215 deals with small wireless facilities in the borough’s rights of way which provides for the purpose and scope, definitions, permitted uses, application, fees, siting, removal, alteration and collocation.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert announced two proclamations during her report. Fire Prevention Week will take place the week of Oct. 3. The 2021 Fire Prevention Week is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” which is to train those in listening to the warnings from smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

The second proclamation was to announce Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place annually in October.

In 2019, the annual Breast Cancer Awareness football game raised $105,000 during the event, which was the most in the state.

In health, sanitation and codes, Councilman Chad Balliet announced Resolution 2021-35, which approves the preliminary/final land development plan for Saucon Construction, LLC at 118 N. Second St. The plan is to subdivide one lot into two lots.

Resolution 2021-37 grants the waiver request of the borough subdivision and land development ordinance for 118 N. Second St.

Resolution 2021-38 grants the waiver request of the borough subdivision and land development ordinance for the plan proposed for 322-326 Franklin St. This will also transform one lot into two lots.

Council approved these resolutions. However, full approval has yet to be given.

Balliet finished by thanking everyone that showed up to Emmaus’ Dumpster Day. He estimated about 250 people were in attendance.

In public safety, the first agenda item was the announcement the ambulance department will undergo a uniform change.

Next, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation suggested a tree adjacent to the new crosswalk signal on Main Street should be removed and relocated. A vote was needed from council on whether to do this. Labenberg did not like the idea of removing trees from downtown, but Pepe said this would be needed, as the tree is in a bad spot. This was approved 6-1.

Councilman John Hart moved on to the police chief hiring process. He said it was decided by the public safety committee that looking for an outside candidate would be the best process, instead of just going with an inside candidate. This was also approved in a 6-1 vote.

With the first item in general administration, Chris Carter was appointed to the library board with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2022. The borough’s servers and email will switch over to the cloud, as needed with their upcoming building relocation. The relocation is due to the upcoming renovations to several borough buildings, including borough hall, the EMS building and police station.

Resolution 2021-36 was also approved. This authorizes the borough to dispose of certain municipal records, most dating back decades.

The budget and finance committee reached a lease agreement with Phoebe Richland Health Care Center to move into the building located at 420 S. 10th St., Emmaus. The space is 6,780 square feet.

The last item in budget and finance was the approval of the bill list.

In community relations, planning and development, it was announced a muralist was assigned to paint the mural funded by HGTV. The mural will represent Emmaus’ past, present and future. The muralist is River Price of Prince Sign Company.

Additionally, the Lehigh Valley Rose Society offered to install a rose garden, at no cost to the borough. A potential location still needs to be decided.

Veteran street flags are being worked on by the Emmaus Main Street Partners. They are arranging for the planters to be moved and replanted.

In personal appeals, Bernadette Jerry announced she is on the ballot to be the Emmaus tax collector. She has experience as a controller and as an assistant to a tax collector.

John Dychala will be retiring from his position as public works director for the borough. Pepe announced that “within two months, the chief of police and the public works director retire, although we, unfortunately, saw this coming.” Pepe said Dychala will be greatly missed and the borough needs to look to hire a public works director immediately.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Oct. 4. The meeting will take place at borough hall, 28 N. Fourth St.