At the Feb. 17 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council filled a number of requests.

Northampton Exchange Club requested and received permission to hold the Northampton Community Days fair July 6-9 at Municipal Park, Smith Lane and Laubach Avenue.

The typically well-attended annual event celebrating Northampton features entertainment, a wide array of food and drink - and a fireworks display on the last night.

Northampton Borough has been invited to participate in a venture involving Lehigh and Allen townships to address truck traffic in the municipalities. Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst said the borough office received numerous complaints about truck traffic in the area of 21st and Main streets.

The joint venture plans to approach Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to learn the requirements to perform a PennDOT study to determine the appropriateness of a truck prohibition.

Large truck traffic has also generated complaints from neighboring municipalities such as Catasauqua and Bath boroughs and Moore and Whitehall townships. The explosion of warehouses in the area is blamed for the increased traffic.

Council approved Tri-Boro Youth Soccer Club to use the Atlas Sports Complex for the spring season, from March 12 to June 12. This is an annual request from the club. The fee is minimal because the teams do not use the restrooms or the snack stand. They provide a portable toilet for team use.

The water plant supervisor requested and received permission to send a staff person to attend a one-day training session on electric motors for energy efficiency March 15. The cost of the event, held at Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center at Pocono Manor, is $175.

Two ordinances were passed that would designate portions of Station and West alleys as one-way streets and to designate, for eastbound traffic on Station Alley, a right turn only as it intersects with Main Street.

The borough’s solicitor is also preparing a short-term rental ordinance that was authorized for advertisement. A copy of the proposed ordinance is available from the borough office.

It was disclosed, as of Feb. 14, the borough has received $851,975.83 in garbage pickup fees. The borough also recently received from Astound (formerly RCN) the annual franchise fee of $134,705.26.

Auditors from Campbell, Rappold and Yurasits LLC officially began the annual 2021 review of borough finances Feb. 14.

Keith Knoblach, code enforcement officer, reported 48.5 percent of the borough’s landlords have registered their rental properties, as of Feb. 14. Landlords have until March 31 to register their properties. Contact the borough office, 610-262-2576, for information about rental registration.

A zoning hearing board meeting is set for March 10 to entertain an appeal from Ryan Homes regarding the placement of a sign announcing a newly planned development.

The office of state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, informed the borough a $15,000 grant has been secured for Northampton Fire Department. The grant is from the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service grant program. This program is administered by the office of the state fire commissioner.

The borough board of health will meet 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at the borough’s municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave.

The borough’s public works department received kudos for its snow-clearing activities Feb. 12 and 13. The storm was described by Brobst as a “nasty little snowfall.” Brobst added the public works crew had everything under control in the borough by noon.

A representative of Northampton Area Food Bank informed council of intentions to expand the vegetable garden adjacent to the food bank. Any assistance from the borough is appreciated as the volunteers hope to expand fresh vegetable offerings for those who utilize the food bank.

In a safety measure, flashing lights have been installed on the stop signs at the intersection of 10th Street and Howertown Road.

Veronica Laroche, the new Northampton Area Public Library director, introduced herself to council. Laroche is the former director of Coplay Public Library.

Brobst reminded people the free tax preparation service being provided at Northampton Recreation Center requires an appointment. Call 484-282-0767 to schedule a time.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is 7:30 p.m. March 3 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave.