The Catasauqua municipal pool will remain closed for another summer.

In his borough recreation committee report during the Feb. 28 borough council meeting, Gene Schlegel, councilman and committee chair, noted there “is no way the pool can open this year.”

Schlegel said there are efforts to have a Lehigh University engineering student evaluate the needs of the pool. This prompted Councilman David Bernini to ask if this would jeopardize the planning grant already applied for. This grant would pay for a professional team to complete a study of the pool and provide council recommendations moving forward.

Borough Manager Stephen Travers said it would not interfere because the Lehigh study is a volunteer effort.

The newly seated council continues to face the issue of what to do with the community pool.

At a previous meeting, council members explored some options, including a complete renovation of the pool complex. This could be costly - with estimates near $2 million.

Another option was to abandon the pool and return to the natural setting of the creek, which runs along the pool.

Yet another option was to eliminate the current pool and install a smaller pool or a splash/water park pool.

Schlegel also reported there are talks with Coplay Borough to allow Catasauqua residents use of the Coplay pool. More information about this is forthcoming.

A final point in Schlegel’s report was that the recreation committee voted unanimously to name the municipal park after longtime Catasauqua council member and volunteer Alfred “Alfie” Regits. Council agreed to the proposed change. Regits died Feb. 9.

In another pool matter, a representative of the Friends of the Catasauqua Parks reimbursed $600 to the borough’s general fund. The borough paid the $600 toward last summer’s Battle of the Balloons. The representative said the Friends group raises its own funds, is independent and has twin goals of being a self-sustained organization and a fundraiser for improving Catasauqua Park.

In the hearing of persons present agenda item, a resident attended to complain about his neighbor’s fire pit being too close to structures. He expressed frustration after being told at a recent public safety committee meeting that his issue was referred to as a neighbor issue. The resident again asked to have someone come out to his property to measure the distance of the fire pit and nearby structures.

A George Taylor House representative gave a financial report about the GTH activities for 2021.

Also, Catasauqua Main Streets prepared a financial statement for council to review. Earlier in February, council considered reopening the 2022 budget with a focus on groups that work for the betterment of Catasauqua and re-examining the use of taxpayer funding.

Another resident voiced concerns about the Front and Willow streets area. She relayed kids are reportedly climbing a wall there and throwing stones. She also noted there are three maple trees in need of removal. The borough engineer and manager will investigate the issues.

Travers said he had a conversation with Allen Township, whose representatives asked if Catasauqua would sell capacity to the township from the Catasauqua wastewater treatment plant. More information is forthcoming.

Councilwoman Jill Smerdon requested borough committees run their meetings like a council meeting. She asked borough Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker to provide council a tutorial about the Sunshine Act. Council agreed to have committee meetings advertised, utilize an agenda and keep minutes of the meetings.

In her borough engineer’s report, Vanessa Nedrick noted the effort to remove fluoride from Catasauqua’s drinking water may cost about $90,000. It is not considered safe for employees to handle, Travers said, adding the borough might have to construct a small building to ensure the safe handling of fluoride. Travers also noted there is a spill containment issue at the current fluoride storage area.

Nedrick reported grants have been applied for to renovate the George Taylor House summer kitchen roof and other improvements. Nedrick also said the road plan includes repaving Lenape Circle and the Walnut Street dead end location.

In his public safety committee report, Howard Cunningham, councilman and committee chair, moved that Robert Zakos be appointed an as alternate on the Civil Service Commission. Council approved unanimously.

Councilman Cameron Smith, chair of the public works committee, reported, “We have a mountain of stuff to get to.”

He noted replacing the 6-inch water pipes in the community would cost about $5 million. He also said there are many streets that would benefit from smaller street patching.

Smith also paid tribute to the Catasauqua Club, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary of service to the community.

The next council meeting, a workshop, is 7 p.m. March 7. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit catasauqua.org to obtain the access call-in number and access codes.