At its meeting Jan. 3, North Catasauqua Borough Council formally voted to approve a tax increase for 2023.

The millage rate will shift to 15.2% from the previous 13.7%, with the purpose of increasing revenue for the borough.

An ordinance was also approved to officially name a new borough road in the 1400 block of Main Street to the D&L trailhead. The council agreed upon Moyer Way as a tribute to honor the late North Catasauqua Police Chief Kim Moyer.

In other business, council President Peter Paone was questioned regarding recent rumors of a possible merger between the North Catasauqua and Catasauqua fire departments. The discussion took place outside of the regular council meeting.

Paone explained a study was offered about two or three years ago by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, free of charge, to evaluate local resources and make recommendations to ensure complete community coverage.

The study involved North Catasauqua and Catasauqua boroughs and Whitehall Township. The idea was originally proposed at a council meeting years earlier and was supported by all three fire chiefs at the time.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the research, and there has not been much to report during recent council meetings, Paone said.

He further explained he was notified last month the state would be splitting the study into two and would address North Catasauqua and Catasauqua in one study and Whitehall in its own study.

Ultimately, Paone cannot say if the final recommendation will be a merger, nor was the primary purpose of the study to end with such a result, he said.

However, he added, the North Catasauqua and Catasauqua fire departments have been “cooperating to a greater extent” in recent times, since the North Catasauqua department’s garage door has been out of commission for a number of months.

During that time period, Catasauqua allowed North Catasauqua to use its facility for storing equipment. The new garage door arrived during the holidays, but there has been a delay with installation.

Paone stressed that, no matter what comes out of the study, he feels confident the two departments are in capable hands with Chief Richard Hertzog Jr. and Chief Roger Scheirer.

More information on the findings from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development is to come.

The next council meeting will take place 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at the borough building, 1066 Fourth St.