At the Nov. 3 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council held a final vote to install a fire tax in the 2023 borough budget.

Officially, it is called the Northampton Borough Fire Services Appropriations Tax. Ordinance 1222 enacts a one-mill tax hike that reportedly will generate $200,000 annually for the Northampton Fire Department.

There was some division among council and the mayor regarding the new tax during the initial public debate at a previous council meeting.

Council President Anthony Lopsonzski Jr. and Mayor Tony Pristash made statements opposing the new tax. Both said they support the fire department but noted there has not been an instance when the fire department was without the equipment necessary to operate successful fire services.

The fire tax is restricted to the purchase of large equipment such as firetrucks or other high-priced equipment items. The fire tax was passed with a unanimous council vote.

Council also passed ordinance 1223 amending an earlier ordinance regulating the nonuniform defined contribution employees’ pension fund for changes in minimum employer and employee contributions. The changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

Adoption of ordinance 1223 makes the necessary changes to the nonuniform defined contribution pension plan to mandate minimum employee and employer contributions at 4% of compensation.

Council authorized an actuarial study to grant the retired members of the nonuniformed defined benefit pension plan a 3% cost-of-living adjustment. The actuarial plan professional determined the plan balance can provide a cost-of-living increase at no cost to the borough.

The office of state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, asked if they could hold a paper and document shredding event, scheduled for April 29, 2023, in the parking lot at the borough community center. Council granted the request.

Council passed the advertisement of ordinance 1048 changing the residency requirement for members of the Northampton Fire Department. The change would establish a 5-mile radius to serve in the department.

All ordinances are available for review by contacting the borough office.

It was reported Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum curator Ed Pany received an annual contribution to the museum from the Lehigh Cement Company in the amount of $2,000.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst noted budget meetings with all department heads have taken place. The final budget preparation process will begin as soon as possible.

The annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony plans are underway. The date is typically the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which is Nov. 27.

There are plans being drawn up for a Joint Veterans Organization Veterans Day celebration 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the memorial plaza at 14th Street and Washington Avenue. It was also reported the Hometown Hero banners arrived and are expected to be up on poles by Veterans Day.

The fire department was commended for its efforts during the borough’s trick-or-treat night, handing out treats to borough children and having a presence in the community to ensure the children’s safety.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Nov. 17. It is an in-person-only meeting at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave., Northampton.