Emmaus Borough Council met at St. John’s UCC Church Jan. 17 for its second monthly meeting.

In personal appeals, two members of Emmaus Main Street Partners gave a short update on upcoming projects.

In decisions on bids, the environmental abatement contract with Sargent Enterprises was approved. The bid they submitted was for $164,624. Council estimated this project at $200,000.

There were two items in communications. First, was a request to change the date for the 2022 Snowblast event. The Snowblast committee requested to move the date to March 5, due to the high COVID-19 cases currently being recorded.

Second, was a request from Karri Schreppel for reappointment to the Emmaus Arts Commission.

Both requests were approved.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert thanked retiring Police Chief Troy Schantz. She did not have anything else to report.

Councilman Chad Balliet nominated Todd Ackerman, with Michael Gibson as his alternate, to represent Emmaus borough on the Southwestern Lehigh County steering committee. This is a once-a-month meeting with all of those in the Southwestern Lehigh County Comprehensive Plan including the borough of Alburtis, borough of Emmaus, borough of Macungie, Lower Macungie Township, Lower Milford Township and Upper Milford Township. The appointments were approved by council.

Also approved was a request for a letter of credit reduction for the Fields at Indian Creek. The reduction requested was $125,280.95.

In public safety, Councilman John Hart announced the search for the chief of police has concluded. There were three primary candidates, out of a pool of 98 qualified applicants.

Hart said the committee overwhelmingly chose Jason B. Apgar to be the next police chief. Apgar has been on the police force since 1991. He was a patrolman in 2000, became a detective in 2002 and a detective sergeant in 2016. He previously served as Emmaus’ deputy chief of police. Additionally, he won the Lehigh Valley Police Officer of the Year Award in 2019.

Apgar also has a master’s degree in forensic pathology.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe gave Apgar high praise and commented he couldn’t wait to get to work with him.

In general administration, the PFAS Department of Environmental Protection consent order and agreement was approved. PFAS is described by the DEP as widely used long lasting chemicals, found in water, air, fish and soil.

The public works collective bargaining agreement was approved by council.

The bill list was approved in budget and finance. The total was $439,775.70.

In the borough manager’s report, Pepe mentioned Public Works Director John Dychala will be retiring soon. He thanked both the retiring Police Chief Troy Schantz and Dychala for their years of service and assistance during a time when the borough really needed leadership.

Council President Brent Labenberg thanked the two gentlemen as well.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Meetings are held temporarily at St. John’s UCC, 139 N. Fourth St., Emmaus. Virtual access is available via the borough website.