At the Nov. 2 Northampton Borough Council meeting, Mark Domenik, a Northampton County official representing county Executive Lamont McClure, arrived with a novelty oversized check in the amount of $70,000 for the borough.

The funds are from the Community Development Block Grant program for planned improvements for the Canal Street Park sewer project. Domenik said he was delighted to be in Northampton to present the check for an important project that benefits the community.

The Community Development Block Grant program is a federal program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development. The program provides federal grant dollars on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to fund local projects to enhance communities. The program began in 1974 under President Gerald Ford’s administration.

In other business, council passed resolution 13-23, which replaces resolution 8-23. Resolution 13-23 includes additional language for funding of computers in fire equipment that was not included in the previous resolution.

The developer of the Northampton Crossings project had a request for an equipment lay-down and material storage space by West Alley. Council rejected the request, citing enough information about the equipment space and its impact on neighbors was not sufficiently assessed. The developer is required to provide more information as requested by council.

It is expected the developer will attend the next council meeting to address council’s concerns.

Benjamin Rutherford, an applicant for the open position as the sewer plant operator trainee, addressed council to advocate for his appointment to the position. Rutherford was interviewed by a council subcommittee.

Council unanimously approved the appointment of Rutherford to the position.

Council addressed the tabled request to install 18-25 parking meters in a business area on Main Street. The cost of the meters was expected to be $9,000-$12,000, not including installation. The original thought to install the meters was to assist small businesses in having parking in front of their establishments to make parking for patrons easier.

Concerns about the meter cost and installation costs, impact on residents and low-projected revenue from the meters stalled the request, which was ultimately denied by council 6-1.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said Heidelberg Materials LLC donated $2,000 to Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum. She noted the borough office will be closed Nov. 10 in honor of Veterans Day.

She also reported a large evergreen tree was donated for the Nov. 26 holiday tree-lighting ceremony at Laubach Avenue and Main Street.

She added the Christmas tree-lighting contest for borough businesses currently has five business entrants. She expects more participants. They are to have a lighted, decorated holiday tree in front of their businesses.

The holiday display will be evaluated Nov. 20-22. The winner of the contest will light the borough’s holiday tree at the borough’s tree lighting.

Councilman Ron Glassic noted the reconstruction of Ash Alley was completed.

Mayor Anthony Pristash commented on his participation in the ceremony to meet with a delegation from Burgenland, Austria, that included Hans Peter Doskozil, the governor of Burgenland.

“It was amazing to meet the delegation,” Pristash noted. “[Immigrants from Burgenland] are a big part of this town’s history.”

Burgenland was established in 1921. It is the easternmost state in Austria, bordering Hungary in the east. Many Northampton residents and the founders of Coplay Saengerbund can trace their roots to this region in Europe.

Northampton has a sister city in Burgenland - Stegersbach, Austria. Pristash said there are plans to have a Northampton delegation visit Burgenland perhaps next year.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst said he wants to schedule meetings with the borough’s department heads to discuss the 2024 budget. He said he has copies of the River Central Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan for any council members who want a copy.

Brobst also announced he is a member of the Northampton County Home Repair Committee that works to assist low- to moderate-income households.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com to access the meeting virtually.