The Dewey Fire Company in Hellertown is looking for its next chief, as Matt Marcincin announced the verbal resignation of Matthew Simkovic at the June 5 borough council meeting.

Although his last day as chief will be at the end of the month, Simkovic is not leaving Dewey altogether and will remain a firefighter, the councilor said. Simkovic has been with the department since 2016, serving as chief since 2021.

Council President Thomas Rieger reminded the council that although they will eventually appoint a new fire chief at the department’s recommendation, the borough code requires the position occupied at all times. For that reason, he said it’s likely that the council will have to appoint an interim chief at its June 19 meeting.

Councilor Liz Thompson relayed concerns from various residents about tenants facing eviction from apartments owned by the Borough Water Authority. Mike McKenna, a councilor who also serves as the Authority’s assistant secretary, verified that this is due to the department’s decision to sell the properties that need extensive repairs.

When pressed on the decision by Thompson and fellow councilor Earl Hill, McKenna reiterated that the Authority’s board “sat down, took a look at the properties and whether we wanted to refurbish them or get rid of them,” adding “everybody had an input.” McKenna said that the Authority’s board meetings are open to the public and that the unfortunate consequences had nothing to do with the council.

In other business, Douera 1, LLC’s Kate Durso explained a petition asking the borough to vacate a portion of Clauser St. north of Hemlock St. that bisects two of the company’s properties. An official traffic arrow sign currently directs traffic away from the block, which sits behind the Star Pre-Owned car dealership at the Interstate 78 exit. The council unanimously approved the request.

Council President Thomas Rieger announced that barring any new developments that might necessitate reversing the decision, July and August will only feature one council meeting eac. With each respective month’s first scheduled meeting tentatively canceled, the summer’s only two remaining dates are July 17 and Aug. 21.