Michael Brown from Gannett Fleming, Emmaus Borough’s environmental engineering consultant, presented the conclusions from the PFAS Feasibility Study at the May 1 Emmaus Borough Council meeting. Attendance was higher than usual.

PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, are a class of man-made compounds found in industrial and consumer products. One prominent source of concern is that they degrade slowly and can accumulate in humans and the environment over time. This indicates PFAS can be found in our water, soil, air, food and environmental materials.

Fleming’s presentation showcased options, costs and recommendations for Emmaus. Mainly, it provided direction for the borough regarding PFAS remediation in the water system.

Water is supplied to the borough from five wells. Recent testing showed Wells #1 and #2 have elevated levels of PFAS per current standards and the rest will not meet new proposed EPA standards.

Three alternatives were evaluated.

The first introduced was the treatment of all wells in the borough. It would take approximately two years from design to operation to treat each well.

The second was an interconnection with an adjacent system. Interconnection with LCA’s Allentown system would take approximately 1.5 to 2 years from design to operation.

Third, was a hybrid approach to seek treatment on three of the wells currently meeting standards. Then, they would bulk purchase the rest.

Each of these alternatives is a multimillion dollar project and has various immediate capital costs and annual costs. Brown said the treatment option was the most economical and would give full control to the borough. The bulk purchase option would incur fewer initial costs but would cost more annually. The hybrid option would fall somewhere in the middle.

“There are DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) programs and grants that could help cover costs and borough council has been working with the state to pursue funding options,” Brown said.

Council President Brent Labenberg announced council would decide and vote at the next borough meeting. This presentation was for residents to ask questions.

There were three items in decisions on bids. First, the South Second Street Multimodal Project Bid was awarded to Gaver Industries Inc. in the amount of $586,143.65. The following two items were vehicles for sale: a sewer van and a dump vehicle. They were both authorized for sale.

In communications, the Emmaus Veterans Committee announced they will hold their annual Memorial Day Parade and Service May 29. The parade will begin in the Emmaus High School parking lot and depart 9 a.m. On May 28, the Emmaus Veterans Committee Honor Guard will honor veterans at each of the six Emmaus cemeteries beginning 8 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery.

There were three ordinances included in unfinished business.

Ordinance 1241: Extends residential permit parking areas to additional streets throughout the borough of Emmaus. It shall be unlawful to park on several roads around the high school for more than one hour unless you have an approved resident parking permit. This stems from increasing concerns by residents living near the high school. Students are parking deep into residential areas, leaving no room for residential parking. This was approved in a 6-1 vote.

Ordinance 1242: Extends school zone parking restrictions on parts of Harrison Street, amends two-hour parking requirements on certain sections of Main Street and amends disabled parking hours on a piece of North Fifth Street. This was approved in a 7-0 vote.

Ordinance 1243: Repeals a section dealing with alarms and automatic protection systems, as well as sections 6-302, 6-303 and 6-308, in order to alter code provisions that are not enforced. The chief of police requested Emmaus Borough Council update the code to repeal the requirement to register new alarms with the Emmaus Police Department. It also repeals penalties for failure to register alarms in Emmaus. This was approved in a 7-0 vote.

This was the second reading of these ordinances.

Next, was a new ordinance introduced in new business.

Ordinance 1244: Establishes regulations for the sale and use of consumer fireworks within the Borough of Emmaus. This includes new permits required, restricted use areas, an hour restriction and other compliances. Anyone who violates the new provisions could be sentenced to pay a $300 fine and/or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.

To summarize further, if you are looking to use or ignite consumer fireworks, you must obtain a permit from the Borough of Emmaus no less than 15 days prior at a cost of $75. The permit will last no more than 24 hours. No permit is required between July 2 and July 4, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend and Dec. 31. Consumer fireworks may be used until 1 a.m. the following day between July 2 and July 4 and on Dec. 31. Besides those exceptions, the use of consumer fireworks shall be prohibited between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.

The second reading will take place at the next meeting.

A report from Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert followed where she delivered two proclamations. Proclamation 2023-558 established the week of May 7 through May 13 as International Compost Week for the Borough of Emmaus. Proclamation 2023-557 established the week of May 14 through May 20 as Police Week.

There were several items in the health, sanitation and codes report. A professional services agreement and proposed commercial/residential UCC permit fee schedule were approved with Barry Isett and Associates, Inc. An escrow release was approved for improvements to the 1267 Tilghman St. project. Lastly, council approved the renewal of the garbage contract with Whitetail Disposal.

In general administration, a residency policy for nonunion employees was established. New and current nonunion employees living outside of the borough at the time of hire must agree to move within a 35 air mile radius within one year of employment. All other employees shall reside within 20 air miles, or within the residence restriction outlined within the employee’s associated collective bargaining agreement.

The bill list was then read in the budget and finance report. The total bills dating back to the previous meeting came to $1,314,396.59.

There were no other items or public comments for the rest of the meeting.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will take place 6 p.m. May 15. Check out the new borough website to find the location at www.emmauspa.gov.