At the May 1 Catasauqua Borough Council committee meetings, Council Vice President Howard Cunningham reported there is a Regional Development Authority meeting May 4 to establish the schedule for the Iron Works project.

Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart reported taxpayers are responsible for $1.7 million in expenses for the Iron Works project. To date, the borough’s total expenditures for the project are $2.8 million.

This does not include the Front Street improvements, sewer interceptor relining and costs as part of the borough building project, Eckhart said, adding the total reimbursement received is $1.1 million.

A Catasauqua resident addressed council regarding responsibility for a bill. There was a water leak at her Howertown Road residence, she said, which resulted in a $2,000 charge. She is being held responsible for the bill, but she said she believes her landlord should be responsible for it.

Council members said they are not the ones to decide this matter but believe the landlord is indeed responsible. Council agreed to discuss this matter with the landlord.

In other business, Eckhart said the workplace safety committee deadline to be in compliance is October in order to receive the $9,000 for projects. The borough reportedly fell out of compliance in 2020 by not filing paperwork in a timely manner, he added.

At the June 5 meeting, council will hear a presentation by I-worq, a software company that can help with processing rental lease agreements and code enforcement and permits. This can reportedly be implemented in a timely manner. There is a cost of $8,000 per year, with a startup fee of $5,400.

There will be no increased costs for the first three years of the contract. Eckhart said he expects this to make a significant improvement in the processing of documents.

Cunningham read from a report by Newton Engineering, which suggested a portion of Front Street should be two ways, specifically near the site of the Ironworks project. It was also suggested Second Street should not be two ways. This will be discussed in depth at the next meeting.

Engineer Nahi Khoury reported the application for the flood mitigation project is due by May 31. Khoury said the MS4 requirements showing that sanitary water is actively being separated from the stormwater, per Department of Environmental Protection mandates, must be implemented by the end of July.

Councilman Gene Schlegel brought up an issue involving houses without clear house numbers. Council will discuss taking an inventory of houses in Catasauqua. Valid addresses are needed on all homes. This will ensure emergency services can be available to anyone who may be in need in a timely manner.

Eckhart said the filling of potholes has been delayed. The supply company has not been producing the product, due to the cooler weather. He also said the borough’s contract for hauling away sludge is about to expire, and bids are being taken for new companies.

The borough is seeking a grant of $25,000 for the restoration of the band shell and the basketball court on Candy Lane and repair to the stream wall. The cost to draft the grant request is approximately $3,000.

Schlegel said applications for a May 13 flea market are being accepted. Interested vendors can call 610-264-1466 for information.

Catasauqua Area School District Board of Education member Dale Hein said there will be a discussion to move to digital signs for the elementary and middle schools. That meeting will be this week.

The next borough council meeting will be 7 p.m. May 15 at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.