Before the Sept. 27 Catasauqua Borough Council workshop meeting, council held a borough authority meeting. At the meeting, Debra Mellish resigned her seat. Joe Carl was appointed by council to fill the seat.

During the workshop meeting, a resident addressed council about rental properties not being registered or inspected. She wondered how the borough can trace which rental apartments were not registered with the borough.

Borough Manager Stephen Travers said efforts are being made to have rentals registered, and rental properties will be inspected every other year.

Another resident asked about the accessible entrance into the borough building. The building doors are difficult to open for individuals who have limited movement capabilities. Travers said a wireless bell will be installed shortly for borough staff to answer the front door when a person needs assistance to safely enter the borough building.

A resident asked who is responsible for shade trees planted adjacent to streets. Shade Tree Commission chair councilman Gene Schlegel said the property owner is responsible for the tree. If the tree is diseased, the Shade Tree Commission will allow for the tree removal.

A resident from the Catasauqua Betterment Committee asked council about the use of cameras in the park. Police Chief Douglas Kish said the cameras are old and need replacement.

Travers reported quality cameras could cost as much as $50,000. He added the borough needs a proper high-quality camera system.

Council President Vincent Smith said the funding for quality cameras will need to be budgeted in an already tight budget.

“Before cameras are purchased, we need people to call the police when they see something, not put things on Facebook and skip calling the police,” Kish added.

Another resident said she understands Kish’s frustration that residents post complaints on Facebook and do not call the police when they see a possible criminal act. She asked Kish how residents can help the police.

“Please inform everyone, spread the word, to call the police if they see a possible criminal act,” Kish said.

The same resident commended the two school resource officers - Officer Jenna Potak and Officer Pat Best - in the Catasauqua Area School District for helping the children.

“They are awesome,” she said.

Another resident asked about the situation with the sewer and water plant and the engineers report that was questioned by a councilman at a recent council meeting. He expressed concern about the councilman’s comments, alleging the engineer’s report was not accurate, and questioned the engineers’ capability to generate an accurate estimate of work and associated costs.

Borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick answered, saying the estimates are accurate for moving the plan forward to improve the water and sewer plants. These are significant, costly plans to improve the sewer and water plants and are well within her professional capability, she said.

A resident asked about what can be done to help make the borough safer and better. Smith asked the resident to speak with the Catasauqua Betterment Committee or the Friends of the Park Committee. Residents are free to donate to support nonprofit organizations that work the improve Catasauqua.

Resolution 2021-09, allowing permission to pursue a Local Share Account grant for the swimming pool improvement plan, will be voted on at the Oct. 4 meeting.

Travers said Hartzell’s Pharmacy will be administering Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines at the borough hall Sept. 30. He suggested residents who received Pfizer vaccines at Hartzell’s call the pharmacy to learn if they are eligible for the booster shot.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel said there will be a yard sale Oct. 9 to benefit the borough’s K-9 unit at the firemen’s training area at Race and Second streets.

Schlegel also underscored the need for residents to call the police when they see something. Placing things on Facebook and neglecting to call the police are not helpful, she said.

The solicitor’s report indicated a special meeting will be needed to adopt the borough’s upcoming 5G ordinance in a timely manner. The ordinance must be passed by the end of October, per the state.

The engineer’s report said there was a preconstruction meeting about the road plan with the contractors, who will begin work during the first two weeks of October.

Nedrick reported the Iron Works project demolition of three buildings and asbestos abatement are moving forward.

In her planning and zoning committee report, Mellish said code enforcement is placing door hangers that list violations at offending properties. If the property is a rental, a letter is sent to the property owner.

The next Catasauqua Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 4. It is a hybrid meeting - both in person and virtual. Visit catasauqua.org for the access codes for the virtual meeting.