At the Nov. 20 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, the 2024 annual budget was approved with no tax increase for residents.

“This is the first budget in the black since 2015,” borough Manager Glenn Eckhart said.

The budget was approved with general fund revenues at $8,197,356 and expenses at $8,197,224.85. The tax rate will remain at 15.05 mills.

“Don’t expect us to be able to hold the line in the future,” Eckhart cautioned, regarding the tax rate.

He noted it was important for borough council and the administration not to increase taxes this year since there was an increase last year. However, they cannot promise this practice will remain in the future.

Eckhart also warned the water budget continues to be a concern.

“The general fund is stronger than the water fund,” Eckhart noted, adding the borough is still looking at high costs for necessary improvements and maintenance.

Catasauqua residents will see an increase in costs for the garbage fee in the borough. According to Eckhart, this is due to the contract with the refuse collector, J.P. Mascaro and Sons. The rate approved by council is $390 per unit annually for residential units. The previous rate was $372.

By ordinance, the borough has to offer a senior discount for refuse collection. Council approved a $10 discount for seniors and a $19.50 discount for those residents who pay the entirety of their refuse bill by Feb. 28, 2024.

Before approving the budget, Eckhart asked council to approve revisions to the capital plan. There were changes made regarding four projects in the borough. They were waiting to hear back on grant funding for some of the projects and other changes made it necessary for the amendments before the budget adoption.

James Delbertis, the borough tax collector, also raised concerns about a miscommunication recently printed in The Press regarding real estate tax payments for 2024. Delbertis noted there are penalties for missing payment installations.

For clarification, the first installment is due by May 31, 2024. The second installment is due by July 31, 2024, with a 10% penalty if not paid by that day. The third installment is due by Sept. 30, 2024, with a 10% penalty if not paid by that day.

In other business, council voted to permanently close the municipal pool from a safety and unfunded liability standpoint.

Charles Weston attended the meeting and discussed the findings of the structural integrity inspections performed back in August. He noted there was concern about a significant number of joints in bad shape, delaminations in the concrete, spider cracking, expanded concrete in some areas and the loss of water, potentially into cavities under the pool structure.

He said, from a structural standpoint, the pool can’t be economically repaired to extend its life.

“You could put a lot of money in and have to close it in a few years,” Weston said.

Additionally, the concern of cavities under the pool could cause a catastrophic incident. He did not recommend reopening the pool.

Council noted its next steps will be to explore alternate recreational uses for the area. A special recreation committee meeting for the pool area will be held in January 2024.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick discussed a full structural report on a property on Bridge Street. The report evaluated the conditions and estimated costs for structural needs for the property.

“It’s in pretty bad shape,” Nedrick said, noting the report estimates $865,000 for repairs and $222,000 for demolition.

The next steps are to share the reports with the property owner and try to have a conversation about needs for the site. Nedrick noted the fire inspector and code enforcement also have reports on the property. Borough administration noted the property owner has already displayed a pattern of not responding in regards to this property. There was a general frustration shared by the board and administration about this issue.

“A slumlord did not take care of the property,” Eckhart expressed, adding the borough is running up fees in regard to this property with no way of recouping those expenses.

Nedrick reported the Walnut Street stormwater and water main project bids all came in higher than expected. She said the lowest bid came in $170,000 more than the grant funds the borough received. Her recommendation was to reject the bids and rebid the projects separately. She suggested putting the stormwater project out for bid first and holding off on the water main portion of the project.

Nedrick also noted the borough officially discontinued adding fluoride to its water Nov. 6. The removal of fluoride from the borough water supply was approved at the council meeting held Aug. 29, 2022. A notice was posted on the borough website Oct. 6 about this process.

Ryan Hottenstein, the borough’s municipal adviser, and Patty Moorhead shared insight into the Strategic Management Planning Program report.

“Nothing in this report will be a surprise, but it’s a starting point,” Hottenstein reported.

One resident raised concerns about the traffic on Race Street. He recommended adding more traffic lights in some areas to make local traveling easier for residents. Council President Brian Bartholomew noted that since Race Street is a state road, it is up to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Nedrick reported there are plans to install traffic lights along Race Street, but it is a process that might take some time to get all of the pieces in place.

Catasauqua Mayor Barbara Schlegel thanked the students at Innovative Arts Academy Charter School for decorating the municipal complex windows.

She also reported the borough holiday tree lighting and Cattykindlmarkt is set for 3-6 p.m. Dec. 3. There will be crafts, vendors, a cookie contest, dance performance from IAACS students and more. Santa Claus is expected to visit around 5 p.m.

The 2023 Operation Santa Claus will be held Dec. 17. Santa will start making his rounds around the borough by 10 a.m., with assistance from Catasauqua Fire Department.

Gifts can be dropped off 6-9 p.m. Dec. 6, 8 and 13 and 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 9 at the fire department, 90 Bridge St. Gifts must be clearly marked with the child’s name and address.

Call 610-264-2121 for more information.

The next committee meetings and workshop meeting will be 6 p.m. Dec. 4, and the next regular business meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 18. All meetings will be held at the municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.