Emmaus Borough Council convened 6 p.m. Nov. 20.

Public comment opened the meeting. There were concerns about speeding in the borough, as well as concerns from a resident about the new ordinances, which will establish and adopt a new chapter entitled Official Map.

Next on the agenda was a community minute.

On Dec. 2, there will be a ribbon cutting and open house 3 p.m. at the newly renovated Emmaus Borough Hall. The address is 28 N. Fourth St. All are welcome.

Additionally on that date, Old Fashioned Christmas will be taking place in downtown Emmaus.

Events will continue all day and there will be things to do for all ages. Activities in the Triangle will kick off 4 p.m. The tree lighting will take place 6:30 p.m. Bring a new scarf, hat, gloves or socks with you, as the Emmaus Historical Society is accepting donations from the community at 218 Main St. in Emmaus.

Councilwoman Teri Sorg-McManamon asked the community to attend Small Business Saturday Nov. 25. Highlights included exclusive discounts and offers from local Emmaus businesses.

Councilman Roy Anders highlighted the Emmaus High School girls field hockey team for winning their 15th Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Championship.

Council President Brent Labenberg read a letter of appreciation for Emmaus Borough Manager Shane Pepe who recently received a special accreditation as a borough manager, which is very hard to achieve.

The meeting then moved to special presentations.

Liesel Gross delivered a Lehigh County Authority Sewer Presentation titled, ‘Kline’s Island Sewer System Regional Sewer Plan’. This was an informational presentation, as no action needed to be taken.

The Borough of Emmaus is serviced by the Kline Island Sewer System (KISS). The system faces major challenges including aging infrastructure, the size of existing infrastructure, systems at capacity and increased regulatory oversight. Gross’ presentation showed the current system takes in 160 million gallons of water per day during wet weather. The treatment plant can only process about half of that. When there’s nowhere for the water to go, overflows occur.

The Department of Environmental Protection requires an Act 537 Plan, which is a response to administrative orders to correct excessive sanitary overflows and plan bypasses during wet weather conditions.

DEP requires a KISS Act 537 Plan be submitted by 2025, including solutions to overflows and plans to address long-term needs. If action is not taken, there may be environmental damage, regulatory actions, continued aging and stalled new connections.

LCA is through the initial planning phase and is on to the ‘Develop Solutions’ phase. This includes project concepts with cost estimates and municipal input. LCA also is seeking input from officials and the community. There are several regional project concepts being developed.

The presentation projected the KISS Act 537 Projects, if formalized, would be completed anywhere from 2026 to 2035. These depend on what projects are undertaken. Total cost estimates range from $561 million to $595 million. The approval process will start in 2024.

LCA is asking for public input and started with municipal officials. There are broader public information sessions expected to begin in the spring of 2024. This presentation will be given to all 15 municipalities within the KISS service area.

The meeting transitioned to the reading and approval of minutes from the previous council meeting Nov. 6.

The communications segment started with a request from Faith Presbyterian Church for the use of Triangle Park Dec. 24 for a Christmas Eve Worship Service. The event will run 11:20 p.m. to midnight.

Next, a citizen letter expressing appreciation for EMS staff was received. A resident thanked the members of Emmaus Fire Company #1 for saving the life of their brother after a heart attack.

The borough engineer’s report and solicitor’s report were next.

Unfinished Business, Part I, saw the council approve Ordinance 1251, allowing the East Penn School District to assume hiring and oversight of school crossing guards.

New business included Ordinances 1252, 1253 and 1254, addressing zoning amendments, amendments to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and the creation of a new chapter entitled Official Map. However, Ordinances 1252 and 1253 were tabled due to ongoing discussions on the zoning regulations.

Council approved Ordinance 1254, establishing and adopting an official map of the whole Borough of Emmaus pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code.

Councilman Chris DeFrain asked the council to add an item to the agenda. The request was from the budget and finance committee to transfer $850,000 from the capital fund to the special road fund. This was approved during the budget and finance report. There were projects that did not cost as much as budgeted and the money needed to be used for capital projects. It was decided the money would go to roads.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert highlighted the annual “No Shave November” fundraiser being held by the Emmaus Police Department in her mayoral report.

In health, sanitation, and codes, a request for the full release of escrow for the 1267 Tilghman Street Development was approved as the project is complete. Seven Generations Charter School sent in a request for the release of a letter of credit for the school’s meandering path project.

In budget and finance, the bill list totaled $724,910.24.

There were no other items of official action in the rest of the committee reports.

There was nothing on the agenda for the borough manager’s report or council president’s business.

Following, the council officially adjourned.

The next meeting of Emmaus Borough Council is scheduled 6 p.m. Dec. 4, according to the borough website.