The Nov. 21 Hellertown Council meeting was short but busy, with a few complex and consequential issues addressed.

Police chief Robert Shupp provided an update on a prior request for two-hour parking signage on a portion of Main Street near Yeager’s Pharmacy. Since the police department has no comprehensive ordinance on its books relating to official designations, he said every new space (or an unverifiable previously-marked one) technically requires the council to pass a new ordinance.

Shupp said that the establishment of an overarching statute would be more practical going forward, as where the department deemed such designations were necessary, they could simply put up a sign. Borough manager Cathy Hartranft suggested that they still establish an inventory of locations of all current street parking designations and related signage.

Council president Thomas Rieger suggested that under those parameters, the department wouldn’t necessarily be able to place and remove them completely at their discretion, but by “simple resolution” from the council. Shupp asked for a bit more freedom if legally allowable, particularly in removing signage in locations where it’s no longer warranted and relevant.

Ultimately, Shupp and Rieger agreed to place the advertisement of such an ordinance on the agenda for the council’s Dec. 5 meeting.

In other news, changes in the police department’s civil service exam and polygraph requirements were announced. Civil Service Commission Chairman – and former borough councilor – James Hill appeared before the council to discuss these issues.

One of the commission’s main functions, he said, was to create an eligibility list of potential hires for the department, and he said that a few ongoing issues have been identified.

Current ordinances require the administration of a polygraph to potential candidates, but until recently the department had not been aware of the requirement.

The other issue, Hill said, was that a current officer aspiring for a promotion could choose to submit either their initial score in applications or to retake the test (under the condition they commit to the more recent score, even if it is lower).

Additionally, the commission decided to reorder the physical exam requirements in the ordinance as they occur, he added.

Also, Zoning and Codes Officer Kris Russo notified the council of an effort to increase the installation of carbon monoxide detectors locally. He said with no law or ordinance requiring them in public facilities, ase one might expect, some state legislators are actively discussing the issue.

Detectors are only legally required “where people sleep,” i.e. residential facilities and not spaces like schools, Russo noted. In response, the council further discussed and voted to explore the potential of drafting and passing something at the local level that would.

Lastly, the council attempted to address the issue of homeowners’ outstanding sanitation and recycling debt currently held by the borough.

Solicitor Michael Corriere explained that in recent years, the borough’s previous method of recouping funds from debtors - essentially waiting until the property is sold and then relying on a bank or other third party to rectify whatever liens have been filed - has become less effective.

However, he explained that to serve property owners with collections enforcement, existing liens would have to be converted to a judgment through a costly legal process involving the Sheriff’s department.

Ultimately, due to the total amount of outstanding liens - approximately $200,000 - and the delinquent property owners who “know who they are,” Rieger suggested tabling the item for any action until the Jan. 3 meeting. “Between now and then,” he said that if anyone wishes to pay their debt and avoid further action, they should contact the borough.