At its Sept. 18 meeting, Catasauqua Borough Council heard from several residents, formerly of 135 Bridge St., who were reportedly evicted from their apartment building with no notice, rendering them homeless. They also said they were unable to pick up their personal belongings because they were reportedly locked out of the building.

Landlords are required to give a 30-day notice. These residents said they received a one-day notice, and the electricity was turned off before receiving the notice.

It was noted this is a civil matter, not a legal matter, so no prosecutions can be made. Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart, however, made it clear the borough would not tolerate the actions of “slumlords.”

Council Vice President Howard Cunningham and Councilman Gene Schlegel suggested opening the Southwark building because these citizens had nowhere to go for the next couple of days. Council quickly agreed to approve this suggestion.

The memorandum of understanding between the borough of Catasauqua and the Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority was discussed. Regarding the Iron Works project, Eckhart said they are hoping to get a request for proposal from a private real estate developer by Nov. 1. In addition, council is hoping for an agreement of sale by April 2024.

Taylor House Brewing Company was approved to lease the Southwark building, as of Oct. 1. The cost of the lease will be $750 per month.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick discussed the water meter grant resolution. The current water meters are 15 years old and need to be replaced every 10 years. The borough is receiving a $1.8 million grant for this project. The new water meters are computerized, so they do not need to be read manually.

Eckhart said bills for residents may increase.

Nedrick also mentioned a grant to purchase street sweepers is for $217,000. The current sweepers have not been updated for 27 years.

Additionally, a request was made for $1,424 to help repave the entire stretch of Front Street.

A payment certificate was completed to receive $5,546 for a new generator at the site of the wastewater treatment plant.

Schlegel said the recreation department received $1,000 from the Friends of Catty Park, for a total of $10,000 this year. He requested the public works department find people who are skilled at handling chain saws because there have been tree inspections and many trees are in need of being cut down.

A new merry-go-round was purchased, at a cost of $7,400, with the expectation this new merry-go-round would last 30 years.

Council also voted unanimously to approve Tom Heimbach as the new labor attorney.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel said the Catasauqua/North Catasauqua Halloween parade is set for Oct. 18, and trick or treat is set for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28.

She also reported there will be a Christmas craft show at the municipal pool pavilion Dec. 3. Groups can buy a tree to donate and use as decoration at the sale.

Borough council next meets Oct. 2 for committees and Oct. 16 for business.