Taking place at the borough’s recently-finished Public Works building, the May 15 Hellertown Borough Council meeting was a unique event that coincided with the facility’s dedication and the recognition of two long-serving employees who were retiring.

Apart from the dedication of the facility, construction began in the autumn of 2021 and faced several months of delays before being completed this April, Mayor David Heintzelman, State Rep. Bob Freeman, and various officials came together to pay tribute to Robert Ruch and Jack Hill, outgoing sanitation workers. Council President Tom Rieger highlighted the remarkable careers of these retirees, emphasizing their collective contribution of over 60 years of service to the borough.

In regular business, the Steel Club’s David Spirk presented an expansive plan for further development of the property. The proposal – the majority of which would be located in Lower Saucon Township – includes a component called Fairway Woods, consisting of either nine residential units or a recreation center in Hellertown’s conservation district which would require a variance from the borough’s Zoning Hearing Board.

Spirk also proposed relocating the club’s main driveway from Linden Street to Durham Street and constructing seven Weir bridges to help manage stormwater runoff. Concerns were raised by councilors Liz Thompson and Earl Hill, speculating that the relocation could result in increased traffic passing through Dimmick Park and the Hellertown Pool area.

Additionally, Councilor Andrew Hughes highlighted the potential impact of construction traffic on the borough roads leading to the site and recommended that the developer be required to post a bond to address any damages. Zoning and Codes Officer Kris Russo suggested submitting a plan to that particular board for review before the council could take action.

In line with the evening’s theme, Hughes also presented the Finance Committee report, focusing on sanitation-related expenditures, revenue, and potential cost-saving opportunities for the borough. His report suggested strategies such as implementing limits on residents’ weekly waste disposal and expanding the bidding process for service providers.

In other updates, Joe Fleming Jr., Brady Rowe and Michael Cordes from Dewey Fire Co. were officially sworn in as Fire Police, with Mayor Heintzelman administering the oath of office.

The council also appointed Holly Schulties as the borough’s new full-time administrative assistant, filling the position that had been temporarily staffed since 2022.