Emmaus Borough Council met Oct. 17 where Councilman Roy Anders thanked all those who volunteered and participated in the Emmaus Halloween parade. The meeting then quickly moved to communications.

A resident wrote to the borough and put forward a petition requesting a quiet zone for the borough, possibly for the overnight hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The complaints refer to frustrations over train noise, especially at night. This resident wanted the borough to conduct a survey to gauge the community’s overall interest. It was agreed a survey would be drawn up and sent around the borough.

From this survey, the council really wants to know the community’s interests. Will the quiet zone incur extra costs? What kind of quiet zone? Council will analyze the responses extensively.

Seven Generations Charter School requested sponsorship from the borough so they can properly apply for a public share account grant. This was approved depending on a promissory agreement from Seven Generations.

The charter school is seeking this grant so they will be able to fund the construction of a community amphitheater on their campus located at 33 E. Minor St., Emmaus.

A notice of residency change was received from Lindsey Kleinberg. She is stepping down from her role as vice president of the Emmaus Arts Commission. Instead of completely resigning, she requests to hold one of the out-of-borough seats for Lower Macungie Township. This was approved.

In her report, Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert reminded the public of trick-or-treat night 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28.

Resolution 2022-37 was introduced during the parks and recreation report. The resolution needed approval for the application of a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Conservation and Natural Resources Park Rehabilitation and Development Grant. This will be for future development and improvements to Boroline Park, 554 Alpine St. The grant should cover 50 percent of the costs.

The grant application was approved by a vote of 6-1. There was a discussion about a shift in the master plan from the park study. Discussion went back and forth on whether money should be budgeted for their planned major rehabilitation of community parks, or if more money should go toward road improvements. Fear of rising taxes and relaxed road improvements arose due to the large allocation of money that may go toward the park projects. There is still more time to decide.

In budget and finance, the bill list was approved with a total payment of $2,514,334.57. Almost two-thirds of the list stemmed from the township building renovations.

The last item during committee reports was the presentation of a complete redesign of the borough website by civicplus.com. This stemmed from the increased hacking of the borough site and borough residents were assured the website was just for information and held no borough or resident information.

CivicPlus will provide a custom website redesign, plus hosting and maintenance services. It was said the new site will be ADA compliant, more user-friendly and up-to-date for residents’ ease of use.

Council gave approval for a standard package with added maintenance and technical services. It will cost just over $12,000 per year.

In the borough manager’s report, Shane Pepe announced the preliminary budget has been completed and council members will soon be meeting. He thanked his staff for their help along the way.

The Knauss Homestead Harvest Festival will take place noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 22.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at 420 N. Tenth St., right near the old Rodale site.