At the July 5 Bath Borough Council meeting, council discussed an ordinance regarding unpaid real estate taxes.

Officially, the legislation is listed as an amendment to Article V (Unpaid Real Estate Taxes) of Chapter 590 (Taxation) and Chapter 403 (Municipal Claims and Liens) to approve and enact the attorney fees and collection fees.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in property owners not paying or partially paying their real estate taxes in many municipalities. Some municipalities engaged a tax anticipation loan to assist in dealing with the shortfall.

A tax anticipation loan is a low-interest loan that helps governments smooth out the ups and downs in their revenue cycles. When used for tax payments, the loan provides cash flow to the municipality to pay its bills until real estate tax dollars begin to flow into the municipality’s treasury.

Another tool for municipalities is to employ law firms that specialize in aggressive tax collection efforts. These entities generally work with a property owner to set a schedule or plan for tax repayment.

Council is also proposing a resolution that addresses SALDO (Subdivision And Land Development Ordinance) issues. More information about the resolution is coming.

All resolutions and ordinances are available from the Bath Borough office. Ordinances are also found on the borough’s website, bathborough.org.

Bath council has also been moving projects forward.

Council recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the outdoor playground equipment at the borough’s dog park - called Paw Park - at 252 N. Chestnut St. A contribution toward the playground equipment was made by the Bath Republican Association.

Council is also sponsoring its annual community yard sale, planned for 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 10. Contact the borough office, or visit bathborough.org, for more information.

The Bath Museum, located in borough hall, is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the third Saturday of the month, it was mentioned.

Another council-supported effort is the annual Bath Farmers Market. The market, in its 15th year of operation, is open 9 a.m.-noon every Saturday on Main Street.

Food is distributed to Bath residents from Bath Area Food Bank every second Tuesday of the month starting 9:30 a.m. until closing at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St.

Bath Borough will hold Old Home Week Aug. 14-19. This idea germinated when a council member discovered in old documents dated about 100 years ago that Bath community leaders held a weeklong reunion for current and past Bath residents.

The event will include a softball tournament, a community gathering/picnic, the ceremonial burying of a time capsule, a food truck festival, a business evening celebration, a movie night and community dinner. It will end with the popular Spuds ’n Suds street festival.

The Great Bath Duck Race is scheduled for July 30, starting 11 a.m., at Monocacy Creek Park. To sponsor a duck, contact the borough office for information.

The next Bath Borough Council meeting is 6 p.m. Aug. 1. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit bathborough.org for the call-in number and access codes to view virtually. The in-person meeting is held at borough hall, 121 S. Walnut St.