At the Oct. 2 Bath Borough Council meeting, there was a timely discussion of the borough’s attractive time piece located at Monocacy Park. The large clock is an eye-catching device when you enter the borough from Route 329.

However, due to a damaged part, the clock is not working properly. Members of council and the mayor reported they have been asked when the clock will be repaired. Borough Manager Brad Flynn said the clock needs a mechanical repair and will cost around $12,000.

One councilman questioned if the borough should purchase a new clock, but Flynn noted that cost may be about $40,000. It was reported the current clock was purchased in 2006 and has had no repairs done to it since then. It was decided the clock would be repaired with the funds added into the 2024 general fund budget.

Council and Flynn continue developing the 2024 budget. Flynn noted, at this time, council is weighing two budget tracks. One option has a 0.5-mill tax hike. His concern is that a 2024 budget without a modest tax hike will give council more difficulty in building cash reserves necessary to pay for the improvements needed to satisfy the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) funding requirements.

Borough Solicitor James Kratz talked about options to fund an MS4 state requirement cost of nearly $500,000. He said he is looking into what other municipalities in the area are doing to pay for the MS4 costs.

Kratz noted one option is for council to create a Bath Sewer Authority that can levy a fee on taxpayer property. The authority would collect the fee so it would not come from the general fund.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Agency implements the regulations in the federal Clean Water Act. The MS4 project is a large, potentially expensive undertaking for a municipality. Visit files.dep.state.pa.us to access and review a quick resource guide to the MS4 program.

Council is concerned the expense of developing and implementing the MS4 plan in Bath will be excessive. Some area municipalities have floated the idea of an MS4 property tax to help fund the mandated law.

There are grants available, but they are competitive so there is no guarantee of funding for this major project. Kratz said he did not believe the borough will get any grant funding for the borough’s MS4 program.

In other business, the popular Spuds ‘n Suds annual celebration in Bath is being rebranded to Spuds ‘n Spurs. It is set for June 15, 2024. If the 2024 version is once again expanded to be a street fair, it would be held on Chestnut Street from Main Street to Northampton Street.

Bath Fire Department representative Anthony Kovalovsky reported there were 26 fire calls for September, with total fire calls at 244 during 2023.

The borough’s trick-or-treat night is 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Council passed resolution 2023-12 to pursue Local Share Account grant funding for the purchase of a dump truck for the public works department. If successful in securing a grant, the truck may be delivered in 2025.

Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito noted the Coffee with the Cops event held recently at borough hall was a success, but she felt more residents could have come. Reginelli-Mirabito said this was a time to meet and speak with Pennsylvania State Police, who provide police coverage in Bath.

The mayor reported a Treats with a Trooper event for Bath children is scheduled for Oct. 31.

Council Vice President Frank Hesch reported the Old Home Weekend festival held last summer was profitable for the sponsor committee and has about $3,400 excess for next year’s Old Home Weekend.

The next Bath Borough Council meeting is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 6 at borough hall, 121 S. Walnut St. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit bathborough.org to access the virtual meeting call-in numbers.