During the Oct. 5 Northampton Borough Council meeting, parents questioned the official trick-or-treat date in the borough.

Traditionally, the borough holds trick or treat on Halloween night, Oct. 31. It was noted Oct. 31 is a Tuesday this year, and some parents might prefer holding trick or treat on a Friday or a Saturday.

Council held true to tradition and officially approved the borough’s trick or treat as 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

In other business, council approved resolution 10-23 that eliminates the borough’s annual contribution of 7% of gross salary to the nonuniformed defined benefit pension plan for 2024. Resolution 11-23 was approved to set the borough’s annual contribution to the nonuniformed defined benefit pension plan at 4% of gross salary for 2024.

Council also approved resolution 12-23 that sets the borough’s contribution to the police pension plan at $50,522.12 for 2024.

All resolutions are available for review by contacting the Northampton Borough office.

Council approved, after recommendations by the solicitor and Gilmore and Associates, a contract to GS Developers Inc. in the amount of $94,700 for electrical/HVAC services for the 21st Street pump station. A contract for $571,300 was approved to PSI Pumping Solutions Inc. for the mechanical and general services for the 21st Street pump station. The amount includes a $46,875 bid to construct a new wet well.

Northampton Area School District Student Council requested and was approved to use the borough’s portable restroom July 27, 2024, with a planned rain date of July 28, 2024, for the annual Student Council car show.

Councilman Kenneth Hall reported the state-aid pension allocation in the amount of $152,949.88 was received. Hall added work on the 2024 budget begins in earnest, and meetings with committee chairs will be scheduled soon.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said the Northampton Athletic Association cheering showcase is set for Oct. 21 at the borough’s recreation center, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive.

Haldeman added she attended a recent crime watch meeting and was impressed with the attendance. She urged other residents to consider attending crime watch meetings. Contact the borough’s police department or the borough office for information about the next meeting.

Vice President Ronald Glassic said the public works crew promptly corrected two sewer issues Sept. 25 that had occurred during the week.

Mayor Anthony Pristash said work has begun to develop the next wave of the Hometown Heroes banner program. Pristash said, moving forward, there will be more social media involvement in the next phase of the project.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst reported the next borough council meeting will be moved from Oct. 19 to Oct. 18 because of the Jack Frost parade.

Brobst added the health insurance expense is expected to rise 4.8% for borough employees.

The next meeting of Northampton Borough Council is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Type “Northampton Borough” into the YouTube search box to view the meeting virtually.