At the start of the April 4 Catasauqua Borough Council workshop meeting, borough Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker explained the procedure for a member of council to relinquish the salary for the position.

The discussion occurred under the general government committee report. Councilman David Bernini plans not to accept his council salary and instead return it to the borough’s general fund.

“My wife and I both work full time. I am happy to serve without a salary,” Bernini said after the meeting.

Bernini said it is an annual consideration that can be invoked for the 2023 fiscal year. He reportedly plans to forego the salary for 2023.

“It is a personal call for each councilperson to consider on an annual basis,” he said.

The borough council salary is $2,000 annually. The mayor and council president receive an annual salary of $2,150.

There was a discussion regarding the borough manager’s contract. The contract was clarified, and the results are that the borough manager’s 2022 salary is $101,764 and 2023 salary will be $105,854. This represents a 4-percent raise annually.

The refuse/garbage ordinance was discussed for a possible change to a quarterly payment for garbage for fiscal year 2023.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel said the yard sale to benefit the police department K-9 unit is 8 a.m. May 7 at the fireman’s training area by Race and Second streets.

Schlegel also reported a recent Eagle Scout project, with a plan to collect 5,000 nonperishable food products, was a success. The applicant, Timothy Cline, and his team reportedly collected 6,440 items for the Catasauqua Community Food Bank.

Dinkelacker said there is a workers’ compensation claim by a police officer, and a grievance was filed by an employee of the public works department. Both issues need to be discussed in an executive session of council.

In her engineer’s report, Vanessa Nedrick reported four grants have been applied for from the American Rescue Plan Act to improve Catasauqua’s infrastructure.

Councilwoman Jill Smerdon, chair of the planning and zoning committee, reported she asked the solicitor to review the borough’s sign ordinances. Smerdon wants the review because signs are mentioned in several borough ordinances. Dinkelacker noted this is typically handled by the zoning hearing board.

Smerdon also asked for a change or revision in the borough’s fee schedule as there is reportedly a discrepancy in what the fee is for a property inspection and the actual cost. The fee received by the borough is reportedly below what the actual cost is.

Councilman Gene Schlegel reported there will is an Arbor Day celebration planned for 10 a.m. April 30 at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St., sponsored by the borough’s Shade Tree Commission.

A resident noted she thinks the refuse collection schedule is eroding because the pickup times are haphazard.

Another resident complained FedEx trucks travel down Howertown Road, shaking the foundation of his house. He was directed to the public safety committee.

Another resident explained, in response to an earlier statement, that there are two collision shops in Catasauqua. They take turns making repairs to borough vehicles as the efforts to have accurate bids due to the nature of the work was not achievable. Therefore, many years ago, council decided to have the remaining two collision shops share alternately in the borough’s work.

The next Catasauqua Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. April 25 at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St. It is a hybrid meeting, both in person and virtual. Visit catasauqua.org for the call-in number and access code.