At the March 16 Northampton Borough Council meeting, Northampton Mayor Anthony Pristash expressed concerns about what he considered a delay in alerting borough officials and the police department about the recent shooting threat at Northampton Area High School.

Pristash noted Northampton Area School District has its own police department but requested additional presence from Pennsylvania State Police and other local departments for a few days last week.

The threat of a shooting March 14 at the school was discovered written on a bathroom stall wall March 10. The NASD administration and police department began its investigation at that time.

The request for an additional police presence March 13 and 15-17 was made via emails and phone calls March 12.

High school students attended classes remotely March 14.

During the council meeting, Pristash said the borough police department was not contacted to assist.

“Concerning this past week’s unfortunate events at the high school and, before I pass this over to (Northampton Borough Police) Chief Kadingo, I want to express my utter disappointment in the (NASD) superintendent and his police chief for their egregious lack of communication, disregard of proper protocol and, ultimately, the lack of respect for our chief and our esteemed police force,” Pristash said.

“My concern is the safety of the students,” Kadingo added.

Kadingo then spoke about the incident, saying NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kovalchik did contact him March 12.

When contacted by phone March 21, Kovalchik confirmed he spoke to Kadingo via text and telephone in the early afternoon March 12, requesting officers to be present at the high school. Kadingo called Kovalchik later in the day to say he was unsuccessful in finding officers to assist.

Council President Judy Kutzler asked Kadingo if this has ever happened in the past.

“I am at a loss,” Kadingo said. “We need communication with the school district.”

In other business, a developer of the property at 1204 Main St. objected to the recommendation by borough Solicitor Brian Panella that council attach a condition to a variance granted recently by the borough’s zoning hearing board.

The condition was to have the developer document in writing the availability of parking at the former bank that will be developed into 15 efficiency apartments. The developer said the condition was not acceptable because it would end the project.

It was pointed out council already reduced the number of parking spaces from the required 32 to 21 to help the proposed project.

Council ultimately voted to approve Panella’s recommendation.

Council appointed Chris Crush to fill an open position on the borough’s planning commission and accepted the resignation of Juliann Edelman as the borough’s zoning officer.

The borough’s portable band trailer was approved for use by the city of Bethlehem for its Oct. 29 Halloween parade and Becky’s Drive-in for its annual Dream Come True benefit festival and car show.

Northampton Fire Department received council permission to seek a firetruck that will replace two current vehicles. It is expected receipt of the new truck may take three years for the truck to be built and delivered.

Boy Scout Kaden Rossanese, of Adamstown, presented and received council approval for an Eagle Scout project to develop a brick-paved memorial area in conjunction with a new sign at the borough’s fire station on Lerchenmiller Drive. Engraving of bricks will be offered for purchase as a memorial tribute.

Two Civil Service Commission members were granted council permission to attend a one-day Civil Service procedures training workshop in Quakertown May 16. The cost is $150 per participant.

Council approved the hiring of Robert Lindsey to the position of full-time Northampton police officer, beginning April 3.

Councilman Kenneth Hall reported the borough received a $296,520.34 payment from the liquid fuels tax fund and $20,941.31 from a 2021 recycling performance grant.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said the borough will receive a $1,000 donation to assist in the development of a monarch butterfly waystation along the D&L Trail.

Councilman Anthony Lopsonszki Sr. said the police department is planning a fishing derby 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 22 at the Hokendauqua Creek, behind the Northampton municipal building. The event is sponsored by Northampton Exchange Club.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst announced there is an opening for an office assistant due to a recent resignation. Contact the borough office to apply.

The next council meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 6 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit YouTube and search Northampton Borough to access the meeting, or view it after the meeting anytime, as it is also recorded for future watching.