At the Dec. 19, 2022, Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, a number of resolutions, recommended by borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick, were approved.

Council approved resolution 29-2022 requesting a PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant of $250,581.87 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for inflow and infiltration abatement of sewer pipes and manholes on Race Street and Bridge Court.

Additionally, resolution 30-2022 was for a $401,921 PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant for construction of the water interconnections replacement project.

Resolution 31-2022 approved the request for a $57,923.25 PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant for construction of a new backup chlorine disinfection system.

Resolution 32-2022 was for a PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant of $51,229.50 for the removal of the existing fluoride feed pump.

A $255,000 PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant request was approved as resolution 33-2022 for the replacement of influent pumps at the wastewater treatment plant in the borough.

These grant requests had a Dec. 21, 2022, deadline, and they were being approved Dec. 19, 2022, which only provided a small turnaround window. Due to these time constraints, Nedrick requested a fee not to exceed $4,000 for each of the grant requests. She said that amount is on the higher end but does not expect that much to be needed. Council approved the request.

Additionally, Nedrick requested approval for a change order regarding a reduction in the contract amount for the road program. This will result in additional funds being added to the borough’s liquid fuels fund. The change order was approved.

In other business, council approved resolution 34-2022 amending the schedule of fees and charges to increase the fee for a moving permit to $10, set the rental rate for borough-owned parking lots to $20 a month, add a $75 fee for health license reinspections, change the zoning permit and building permit application fee to $75 and change the certification fees for water, sewer and refuse accounts to $20.

Resolution 35-2022 added a schedule of fees in connection with borough services relating to wireless communication facilities.

Resolution 36-2022 revised the small wireless facility design guidelines to eliminate the use of decorative banners.

Council approved agreements with Sanctuary at Haafsville for 2023 animal control and Rave for emergency communication. Additionally, a Barry Isett training agreement and NSI water plant services were approved.

Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart requested the approval of the 2023 meeting schedule. These dates have been shifted from past years in an effort to condense the schedule and streamline the process.

The new schedule will have all the committee meetings on the same day and held consecutively. These meetings will be early in the month, followed by the regular monthly meeting held later in the month. He said this will help keep the information moving smoothly and allow for the bills to be paid in a timely manner.

Tara Nicholas, representing the Friends of Catasauqua Parks, presented council with a new security camera for the Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St.

According to information shared by Friends member Robert Zakos, the nonprofit organization raised $20,000 through fundraising and donations to purchase the camera. He noted the goal of the group is to help raise funds to offset the costs of repairing the municipal pool, so it could be opened once again to the public.

In her mayor’s report, Barbara Schlegel thanked those who took part in the borough’s tree lighting for helping make it happen. She also noted the borough’s mailbox for Santa received approximately 60 letters, all of which have received personalized responses, as of the date of the meeting.

She also thanked Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church for its donation to the borough’s police and fire departments and American Legion Post 215 for its police department donation.

Additionally, she reported the fire department’s Santa initiative reached 102 residences in the borough and handed out 124 gifts.

Borough council held an additional meeting Dec. 29, 2022, to approve ordinance 1424, setting the 2023 tax rate at 15.05 mills. This is an increase from last year’s rate of 7.34 mills. Last week’s edition of The Press indicated there would be no tax hike for Catasauqua residents. However, there will, in fact, be an increase. The Press regrets the error.

The next borough council business meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.