Catasauqua Borough Council appointed a new treasurer - Catherine Vandyne, of Macungie - at its Aug. 29 meeting.

Vandyne, according to LinkedIn, is a graduate of Dean College, of Franklin, Mass. She holds an associate degree in business administration and management.

She comes to Catasauqua with many years of experience in accounting. She worked as a treasurer/collector for the towns of Norton and Sutton, both in Massachusetts. These two positions span nearly 15 years of municipal treasurer employment experience, according to LinkedIn.

Vandyne holds distinctions from Massachusetts as a certified collector and treasurer.

The borough is still seeking a borough manager.

Council was stung this past June with the simultaneous resignations of its former treasurer and former borough manager. The departure of both financial management staff contributed, along with other factors, to a downgrade of Catasauqua bonds to a Standard and Poor’s bond rating of BB+.

The departure of the former treasurer and borough manager have been an item of speculation, as neither publicly stated the reasons for their abrupt departures. The former borough manager quickly landed the borough manager position in Lehighton Borough.

There is a council executive meeting planned for 6 p.m. Sept. 6 to complete final interviews for the open borough manager position.

In other business, one resident addressed council about what he describes as residents with fire pits that do not abide by the fire pit ordinance. He noted he has asked council to investigate the matter several times over the past two years with, in his opinion, nothing of substance done to address his concerns.

A second resident commented the electronic speed notification signs have helped slow down traffic between Front and Third streets on Pine Street, about which he expressed gratitude. The signs were reportedly relocated near Sheckler Elementary School for the start of the school year. He also noted traffic has begun to speed up again on Pine Street since the signs were removed.

The gentleman also commented that trash receptacles around the borough are not being emptied. He said he was speaking not to place blame but rather to stress the importance of keeping the borough clean.

Two resolutions were approved by council. One was the renewal of the Berkheimer contract for tax collection, and a second was a resolution addressing rental fees.

Ordinance 1417 addressing street and sidewalk obstructions was passed. Ordinances and resolutions are available to residents to review at the borough office.

Several decisions were made regarding the Iron Works project. A motion was approved to award a contract for asbestos and lead paint abatement for the Iron Works complex and the depot building to the SJ Thomas Company, of Lansdowne, in the amount of $34,395.06.

A commitment letter and grant agreement was approved by council. There was a motion to approve the preparation of subdivision plans for Lot 2 of the Iron Works site and the borough property at Second and Church streets. It was noted the plans may carry a cost between $10,000 and $15,000.

It was said five companies have expressed interest in the Iron Works site. The names of the companies were not disclosed.

Council is planning two Iron Works committee meetings - Sept. 14 and 21. The public meetings begin 5:30 p.m. in the borough municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel thanked those who helped at and attended the recent National Night Out Against Crime held for the first time in the borough. She also noted all three Catasauqua schools will have a police school resource officer present in the schools.

Schlegel thanked those who assisted with the Battle of the Balloons held in August. Additionally, the mayor announced a fundraising yard sale is planned for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 10 at the former fire training center, Race and Second streets.

Borough Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker requested council approve an agreement with Allen Township that may result in using Catasauqua’s sewer and water capacity for a development in Allen Township.

The Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association received council permission to hold its annual Fest ’O Fall 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 1 between Pine and Willow streets. Front Street between Pine and Willow streets will be closed during the celebration.

Councilman Gene Schlegel floated the idea that fireworks be banned from Catasauqua because of the revamped fireworks law from the state that allows local fireworks regulation. Last year, a former Catasauqua council member said the area was like a “war zone” during the July 4 weekend with all the fireworks detonated.

No council action was taken to ban fireworks at this point.

Council then retired to an executive session to discuss the police collective bargaining agreement, environmental cleanup of the Iron Works site and the police pension plan audit.

The next meeting of borough council is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the municipal complex. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit catasauqua.org for the call-in number and access code.