Despite the best efforts of several officials and community leaders to work toward the resolution of a months-long spat between the Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township councils regarding funding the Hellertown Area Library, the lack of progress on an agreement was once again the major topic of interest coming out of the borough’s April 18 meeting.

Mayor David Heintzelman read a prepared statement explaining that on April 13, the Rev. Phillip C. Spohn of Christ Lutheran Church hosted an informal session attended by representatives from both municipalities’ governing bodies as well as HAL President Ken Solt.

In his statement, Heintzelman said that Lower Saucon Township “expressed the idea of regionalizing library services with other communities.” Lower Saucon Council President Jason Banonis proposed as a potential partner several months ago, to which the Southern Lehigh Public Library officials have responded, “frankly, we do not want to be involved in this fight, and have made that very clear… on several occasions.”

Democrat Kevin Branco, a candidate to represent the 131st legislative district in the Pa. House of Representatives (a seat currently held by first-term Republican Milou Mackenzie), commented on the Facebook stream of the meeting: “While I’m open to the idea of regionalization, I’m skeptical of its validity on this scale. Due to the fact that this is an area library, is it not regional in nature already?”

Branco continued, “Now 4.5 months into this debate we are to believe this is what [Lower Saucon has] been envisioning? You don’t redesign a system by abruptly cutting funding to it, you work with all parties to grow.” It was not immediately clear what the potential impacts of “regionalizing” services further might be for Hellertown or Lower Saucon residents.

Another familiar topic of consternation in the borough was soon raised, as allowing Fountain Hill residents access to the Hellertown Pool – which until recently struggled to find adequate staffing, among other challenges – through discounted season passes was proposed by council President Thomas Rieger.

Rieger said Fountain Hill officials approached borough Manager Cathy Hartranft to inquire on behalf of residents who might wish to patronize Hellertown facilities over the summer months, particularly at “resident rates” – as the pool currently charges an additional entry fee for non-residents.

Rieger characterized the potential relationship as mutually-beneficial, saying Hellertown, “is always open to working together where it makes the most sense.” It was explained that in allowing Fountain Hill residents to enjoy the lower rate, Hellertown would ultimately receive reimbursement from its partner borough to cover the difference in “lost” out-of-town fees.

In other news, Hartranft asked to comment on the ongoing Hometown Hero banner project, as a newly-crafted set of the decorations – which affix to street lights throughout the borough in celebration of local military veterans – are being hung by the Public Works department.

While “it’s very exciting,” she asked interested parties to refrain from contacting her office to inquire about a particular banner’s location, as she’s working on a comprehensive spreadsheet that will be made available to the public. She also urged residents who are looking to pick up banners that are being removed to give the borough a couple of weeks to get organized.