Emmaus Borough Council met March 7 where members of the Emmaus Arts Commission thanked the board for their continued support and gave a recap of the SnowBlast event held March 5 at the Emmaus Triangle. They thanked Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert and Councilwoman Teri Sorg-McManamon for being in attendance for quite a while during the event.

“It was great to see the (Emmaus) streets so full,” Sorg-McManamon said.

In special presentations, Emmaus Public Library Board Members Anne Zayaitz and Maryellen Kanarr were in attendance to talk about two upcoming events – the first is a used book sale at Lower Macungie Middle School April 22 and 23. The second event is the annual mini-golf event where they set up an 18-round mini golf course in the library. April 29 will be an adult function, with April 30 being the day for families. Zayaitz said tickets need to be purchased for the event.

Following the library announcements, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, who attended the meeting virtually, said he was there to take questions and be a friendly face in the crowd. There were no questions.

In other business, Eva Seibert resigned from the Emmaus Community Garden Commission. Michael Gibson was approved for reappointment to the planning commission for a 4-year term.

In unfinished business, Ordinance 1224 was read and approved. This ordinance adds a residential disabled parking sign and assigns a permitted parking space adjacent to 568 Broad St. and in front of 243 Adrain St.

Public Works Chair Roy Anders requested council hire Lawrence Carl as the new public works director. Carl currently serves as the director of public works in Coopersburg but will leave that position upon approval. His hiring was approved by council.

Resolutions 2022–11 and 2022–12 were approved by council.

Jeffrey Ott, with Ott Consulting, was in attendance to talk about Resolution 2022–11. This is a resolution approving the revised preliminary/final land development plan for 300 Furnace St., which will be called the Iron Works Apartments.

This proposal is to construct an apartment complex consisting of six buildings with 144 units. There were some questions about parking from council. Ott assured council there would be more than two parking spaces per unit for the lot.

Resolution 2022–12 was for a sewage facilities planning module for 303 Franklin St.

The materials testing and inspections proposal for Emmaus Borough Hall, the central fire and ambulance station and police station’s renovations and expansions from Hillis-Carnes Engineering Associates was approved.

This proposal outlines the scope of services and associated fees. Borough Manager Shane Pepe said this proposal was, by far, the least expensive and was from a local business.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. March 21 at St. John’s UCC, 139 N. Fourth St., Emmaus.