The Oct. 18 Hellertown Council meeting saw several items of business handled, with much of the discussion again centered on upcoming community projects and events.

Erica Shorb, a borough resident whose creative, positivity-spreading ventures have included last autumn’s pandemic-inspired Community Art Walk at Borough Authority Park, joined the meeting to propose several ideas for upcoming seasonal projects.

The first of the proposed ideas were ‘yarn bombs,’ which Shorb said are colorful woven patterns adorning trees and other items, meant to brighten the dreariness of the winter season. Mayor David Heintzelman suggested in order for the project, tentatively titled ‘Covered in Joy’ and slated to run from November through January, to “gain more traction,” Shorb should partner with borough organizations like the Lions Club and Hellertown Area Library.

She also proposed ‘Lights and Life’ on a December weekend to be determined. This would be a live Nativity-based performance project, she said, with actors taking Biblical roles, musicians performing Christmas- and holiday season-themed songs and live animals. Shorb said she envisions the scene taking place at Dimmick Park and making use of the bandstand.

Shorb also suggested that the event, to be coordinated in conjunction with South Bethlehem’s Graceway Community Church, could be augmented with sales of refreshments such as hot drinks. Heintzelman suggested that Shorb contact the local churches included in the Hellertown Ministerium to see if they are interested in partnering with her group.

‘Peace and Hope,’ a series of window displays in homes and businesses throughout the borough with statements on where folks find those respective values, was Shorb’s next idea, to be implemented in January 2022. Ultimately, she said her goal would be to create and distribute a map indicating where these signs are located for interested parties to tour.

Lastly, she also mentioned tentative plans for an Earth Day project in the spring with “whimsical” floral and insect-styled decorations in Borough Authority Park. All of Shorb’s proposals were met with enthusiasm from the council and approved without objection.

In other news, borough Engineer Bryan Smith indicated that the pedestrian safety project at Walnut St. near the Saucon Rail Trail was set to begin soon and urged drivers to exercise caution traveling through the area.

Council member Andrew Hughes asked police Chief Robert Shupp if he had figures on how many traffic citations have been issued since the installation of similar crosswalk flashers elsewhere on Main Street Shupp said he did not have them at that moment, although he’d be able to provide them after the meeting, saying he thinks “the flashing lights do a really good job of getting drivers’ attention.”

Hughes said he’s been told by borough residents – and has even seen firsthand – Main Street drivers generally disobeying the flashers, and requested increased police presence. Shupp pushed back a bit, explaining that while Hughes’ observations are not necessarily incorrect, the police department can only issue citations under specific circumstances and cannot ticket every driver who simply does not stop for flashing lights, regardless of a pedestrian’s presence or action. Shupp did agree to look into Hughes’ concerns.