During the Dec. 1 meeting of Northampton Borough Council, Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. spoke of the need to assist senior citizens by expanding accessible parking throughout the borough.

Formerly called handicapped parking, accessible parking is typically granted if the request complies with borough ordinances. Usually, the borough police chief will make an analysis of the location of the request and apply the law in determining a recommendation to grant or deny the request.

The request to grant or deny a resident’s accessible parking application is ultimately decided by a vote of council.

At the Dec. 1 meeting, a senior citizen with apparent ambulation challenges requested council grant her accessible parking near her home. She noted, because of the parking congestion in her neighborhood, she has to park a distance away from her home, creating a hardship.

The police chief denied the request because the resident’s garage is too close to her home to warrant an accessible space.

The resident said if she parks in her garage behind her home, she has five steps to navigate to get into her home. Because of her health situation and limitations, she said it is difficult to get into her home from her garage, particularly when she goes grocery shopping.

“At my front door, there is only one step,” she added.

Council voted 4-3 to overrule the chief’s recommendation not to approve the accessible parking space.

A second vote was taken to grant the woman her request for an accessible parking space.

Council was deadlocked 3-3 with an abstention, necessitating a tiebreaking vote from the mayor.

Mayor Tony Pristash voted to deny the request.

It was noted that the senior citizen can apply again for further consideration at a future council meeting.

This result prompted Lopsonzski Sr. to ask council to consider providing additional accessible parking throughout the borough. He noted there are many seniors in need of accessible parking consideration.

Council took no action at the meeting regarding Lopsonzski Sr.’s suggestion to possibly install two accessible parking slots on streets where they are deemed needed.

Resolution 15-22 was passed to correct a deficiency in the earlier resolution 13-22 that allowed a grant application for the acquisition and installation of video cameras, a monitor and computer. The grant request is for $25,300.

Resolution 16-22 was passed to allow for a grant application in the amount of $2,000,000 to the Pennsylvania Financing Authority for sewer line rehabilitation. It is expected most of the dollars may be for a Canal Street sewer line.

Resolutions are available for public review by contacting the borough office.

Council approved a request to house a Northampton Fire Department 2000 KME pumper truck in the Coplay Fire Department station. Coplay’s fire department is experiencing difficulties with its pumper truck. NFD has two other pumper trucks, so it can temporarily provide one to Coplay.

NFD reportedly typically responds to a Coplay fire. The two departments have mutual aid cooperation to better serve both communities.

Council granted the borough office permission to advertise for the position of administrative clerk to replace the current clerk, who is retiring.

The 2023 borough budget received preliminary approval. The budget contains no tax hike. Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst commented the federal American Rescue Plan Act helped the borough balance its budget without a tax hike.

In Councilman Trevor Stone’s report, he said the borough has openings on its planning commission and zoning hearing board. Contact the borough office to apply.

In Councilmember Judith Haldeman’s report, she said the borough’s Santa mailbox at Main Street and Laubach Avenue collects letters for Santa, which will all receive a reply. She urged participants to make sure they include their return address on the letters.

Haldeman also reported the borough cinder trucks are prepared and have sufficient rock salt on hand for the winter.

Assistant Borough Manager Brian Welsko said the project to livestream council meetings is moving forward, with the expectation of being up and running for January 2023.

Welsko also mentioned Dec. 1 marked Brobst’s 56th year of serving the borough in a number of capacities. Brobst thanked Welsko and quipped, “You are making me feel old.”

Brobst noted vandalism continues to occur in the bathrooms at Canal Street Park. He requested and received permission to have the bathrooms locked overnight, so miscreants cannot damage the facilities. The borough plans to install cameras outside the facilities to monitor and dissuade vandalism.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is an in-person-only meeting.