At the April 21 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council voted to approve a request from Northampton Police Chief Bryan Kadingo to have three Northampton officers attend an International Police Mountain Bike Association cyclist training event.

The course is set for May 9-13 at the Allentown Police Academy, at a cost of $200 per officer.

The U.S. Department of Justice touts the benefits of a bicycle police patrol. From a community policing perspective, bike patrols reportedly reduce resident fear of crime and can strengthen the bonds between residents and the police.

Kadingo told The Press there was a police bike patrol in Northampton in the past, but the effort ceased over time. Kadingo looks forward to the reinstitution of the bike patrols because of the touch-point opportunity with the community.

In another police matter, Aaron Koehler was approved by council to join the police department as a part-time officer. Directly after the council approval vote, Mayor Tony Pristash administered the oath of office to Koehler.

Kadingo requested and received council permission to have an additional officer attend a less lethal munitions instructor course. One officer was approved at last month’s council meeting. The cost is $275, and the training is at the Lehigh Township Police Department.

Council also approved a request from the Northampton Area School District Police Department to have assistance from the borough’s fire police at the high school graduation exercises planned for June 3 at Al Erdosy Field, with a rain date of June 4 or 5.

An approval from council was granted for the Northampton Fire Department to hold a coin toss fund drive, set for 8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 7 at the intersection of 21st and Main streets.

Council approved a request from Central Assembly of God Church, Bethlehem, for the use of Municipal Park pavilions A and B Sept. 18.

The church also was approved to use the permanent municipal bandshell. As a nonprofit, the group’s fees for this use were waived.

The Northampton Boys Lacrosse Booster Club received council permission to hold its annual end-of-the-year banquet at Municipal Park pavilion A. At the banquet, they plan to honor a former coach, Geoffrey Chenworth, who died March 14. Fees for the pavilion use were waived.

A request from Siegfried Elementary School to suspend the no-parking order on 17th Street near the Northampton Athletic Association field was denied by council. Council instructed Kadingo to speak with NASD to develop the safest plan for the request. A vote on the upcoming plan is expected at the May 5 council meeting.

The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce received council permission to rent the borough’s portable band trailer July 30 for the Martin on Main festival. The Chamber will pay a delivery and removal fee and must provide the borough a certificate of insurance for the trailer use.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church also received council permission to rent the borough’s portable band trailer for its heritage festival June 19. It also will pay a delivery and removal fee to the borough and provide a certificate of insurance for the trailer use.

The newly formed River Front Garden Committee met to discuss and plan the upcoming River Front Garden at the south end of Canal Street Park and a rest pavilion/welcome center at the north end of the park.

Borough Manager Leroy Brobst and junior council member and Northampton Area High School student Ryleigh Tillotson met with NAHS Principal Luke Shafnisky and Athletic Director Shaun Murray. The meeting was to begin planning a parade to honor NAHS sports teams’ 2021-22 success.

Pristash and council members thanked the numerous volunteers who made the 2022 Northampton egg hunt a success. The hunt was well attended, and each participant received a large chocolate bunny. The Easter Bunny was also in attendance.

Notices were sent to property owners who failed to register their rental properties with the borough. They all received a $25 penalty for not registering.

It was also reported vandalism continues at the Canal Street Park restrooms. There is a plan to upgrade the cameras and recording system.

It was noted the borough’s certified pesticide applicator completed a two-day training course to renew his certification.

In the hearing of persons present agenda item, a resident approached council to report his neighbor’s property is in a state of disarray and which, in his mind, has numerous code violations. He said he contacted the code enforcement officer five times.

“Nothing was done,” he noted. “I just want this property cleaned up. I’m tired of looking at it.”

He was assured by council the matter will be addressed.

Victor Rodite gave an in-depth report on the availability of grants and potential projects in Northampton to upgrade Canal Street Park and efforts to attract more businesses into the borough.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is 7:30 p.m. May 5 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave., Northampton. It is an in-person-only meeting.