At the final Bath Borough Council meeting of 2021, held Dec. 6, council passed a flurry of ordinances and resolutions as it wound down a challenging but successful year.

Success is measured in many ways. One example is Bath’s ability to hold the line on taxes. The 2022 general fund budget contains no property tax increase. There have been only two property tax hikes since 2008.

Resolutions 2021-012 through 2021-016 and ordinances 2021-715, 716, 717 and 718 were all debated and passed into law as ordinances or meaningful statements as resolutions.

Ordinance 2021-715 amends the zoning ordinance as recommended by the planning commission.

Ordinance 2021-716 codifies the real estate tax installment program.

Ordinance 2021-717 amends the weed ordinance, requiring the removal of grass, weeds, dirt, debris and impediments from sidewalks and gutters.

Ordinance 2021-718 establishes the rate of compensation for the borough’s elected tax collector for the years 2022-25.

Resolution 2021-012 establishes borough council articles of decorum and rules of order.

Resolution 2021-013 adopts the cable franchise agreement with RCN, while Resolution 2021-014 adopts the cable franchise agreement with Service Electric.

Resolution 2021-015 adopts the borough’s schedule of fees.

Resolution 2021-016 addresses the borough code section 1402.

All of the ordinances and resolutions can be reviewed at bathborough.org or by calling the borough office for printed copies.

In 2022, borough leaders hope to hold a homecoming event during the fourth week of August. The final day and culmination of the Bath Homecoming Week will be the borough’s popular Spuds ’N Suds street festival, planned for Aug. 27.

The Spuds ’N Suds festival was canceled in 2021 by split vote due to the pandemic.

The idea was spawned when Council member Frank Hesch found documents that reference a Bath Town homecoming event from 100 years ago. It was a celebration for all current and former Bath residents to gather in fellowship and fun.

Another idea floating around for 2022 is the installation of a water splash park. Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito, at a previous meeting, said she believes she can raise the necessary funds to have a water splash park in Bath.

In August of last year, Reginelli-Mirabito and the fire department coordinated a water spray event for kids. It was called the Kids Cooling Off event. This helped spark the idea in Mirabito’s mind for a Bath water splash park.

During 2022, council expects to refine and move forward with the Bath road plan. Progress was made with the road plan during 2021. With additional funding to the borough from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, additional street repairs can be completed.

The next council meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Bath Borough Hall, 121 S. Walnut St. It is an in-person and virtual meeting. Visit bathborough.org for the call-in number and access codes.