The Jan. 18 Hellertown Council meeting was eventful, with several notable pieces of business being handled.

Before official business could begin, however, council approved an official proclamation in honor of Hellertown native and New York City firefighter Matt Zimpfer. Zimpfer, who currently lives in the Bronx, was the subject of a photograph that went viral in the wake of the deadly Jan. 10 inferno that killed at least 17 people and was described as the city’s deadliest fire in three decades.

Mayor David Heintzelman presented Zimpfer – who’s been firefighting in the Bronx for two decades – with a certificate in his honor, saying, “you made the newspapers, and you looked really good! But you’re a hero, and that’s why you’re here today.”

Also, Pa. House candidate Kevin Branco spoke briefly about a proposed redistricting plan that would directly affect the borough. The current owner of Main Street Gym in the borough expressed his desire to represent the residents of Hellertown and provided some basic information on his campaign.

The proposal sees Hellertown’s representation transition from the 136th district – a seat held by longtime delegate Robert ‘Bob’ Freeman – to the 131st, in which Branco was defeated in 2020 by Milou Mackenzie. Shortly after the plan became public, Branco, a Democrat, announced his intent to again challenge the Republican Mackenzie this November.

Heintzelman released a public statement earlier in the day criticizing the proposal, which has yet to be ratified. In the letter, which he read aloud at the meeting, the mayor said the plan “has positively no benefit to Hellertown at all.” The council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing a similar sentiment at the Jan. 3 meeting.

The other major topic of discussion was in relation to a price adjustment on the ongoing construction of a new Public Works facility. The building, which is being constructed on the former site of the Reinhard School on Northampton Street, is on track to cost significantly more than was approved in summer 2021, borough engineer Bryan Smith said.

Several council members expressed their concern and disappointment with the news, as it was suggested by council member Gil Stauffer that somebody “screwed up” the initial estimate. Council member Andrew Hughes agreed, saying it was as much about “principle” as it was the underestimate.

Ultimately, the council voted to table the discussion, as many agreed that it should be the contractor’s responsibility to make good on the error. Council President Thomas Rieger said, “Don’t charge us the whole darn thing. We’re willing to talk, but we’re not willing to foot the bill for their mistake.”

Special library issues meeting coverage on A11.