At the July 10 Bath Borough Council meeting, council voted to rename the Bath Borough Public Works and Facilities Committee to the Bath MS4 Committee.

MS4 stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. It is believed renaming the committee will bring greater focus to the costly changes Bath will have to engage in during the coming years regarding stormwater management.

At the January council meeting, President Michele Ehrgott requested an ad hoc MS4 committee be approved because of the large expense of complying with Pennsylvania’s MS4 law. The goal of the new committee was to track the Bath MS4 project progress.

No action by council was taken at that time. An ad hoc committee is defined as a committee created for a particular purpose as needed.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection implements the regulations in the Federal Clean Water Act. Visit files.dep.state.pa.us to access and review a quick resource guide to the MS4 program.

Council is concerned developing and implementing the MS4 plan in Bath may cost in excess of $450,000. Some area municipalities have floated the idea on an MS4 property tax to help fund the mandated law. There are grants available, but they are intensely competitive, so there is no guarantee of grant funding for this major project.

Bath Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito applauded council for designating a committee to focus on MS4.

“I would really like public involvement (in MS4 issues) as it will effect everyone in Bath,” she said.

Finishing touches are being done for the Bath Old Home Weekend, set for Aug. 10-13 at Ciff Cowling Field on Allen Street. Vice President Frank Hesch, chair of the community and economic development committee, noted more information about Old Home Weekend is on Bath Borough’s Facebook page. Hesch said the weekend promises to be a lot of fun.

Council passed resolution 2023-008, which creates a temporary suspension of the open container law in specified areas during Old Home Weekend.

Resolution 2023-009 was passed authorizing a Multi-Modal Fund grant application of $245,000 for an LED streetlight replacement in the Old Forge area of Bath. If the grant is awarded, installation of solar-powered lights will reduce electric costs.

Resolution 2023-010 was passed to oppose Pennsylvania House Bill 684 that would allow the state to charge for state police services. Currently, state police services to Bath are without cost to the taxpayer.

Ordinance 2023-729 was passed that implements the placement of an accessible parking space at 142 Washington St.

Council also voted to advertise a draft of ordinance 2023-730 that amends chapter 625 regarding vehicles and traffic, adding a loading zone and creating a collectible violation provision relative to parking tickets issue for expired inspection.

All ordinances and resolutions can be accessed by calling the borough office.

Bath Fire Department reported 32 fire calls in June and 160 fire calls so far this year.

Councilman Emanuel Mirabito requested council support an ordinance change allowing a warning, with no fine, for an expired inspection sticker on an automobile rather than immediately issuing a ticket with a fine.

Councilwoman Phyllis Andrews said the electronics recycling event held in June was a success. There is another electronic recycling event being planned for October. It is for Bath residents only.

Borough Manager Brad Flynn requested council consider changing the monthly council meeting from the first Monday of the month to the second Monday beginning January 2024. He explained this will assist getting all reports, particularly the treasurer’s report, before council to consider at the meeting.

The next borough council meeting is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 7 at borough hall, 121 S. Walnut St. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit bathborough.org for information to access the meeting.