During the Dec. 18 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, the board approved three ordinances and moved to advertise two others.

Ordinance 1435 led to a great deal of discussion among council members. The ordinance will change Front Street, from Union to Bridge streets, back to a one-way road traveling northbound.

According to the ordinance, “Borough council is concerned about the safety of the general public, other motorists, parked vehicles, pedestrians and all persons traversing the two-way section of Front Street from Union Street to Bridge Street, particularly in light of the expected development of the Iron Works site.”

Councilman Cameron Smith questioned why they are considering this change and if it is worth the resources being put in.

It was noted the plan for future streetscape adjustments to sidewalks and curbs will have parking only on one side of the street, which may result in difficulty for two-way traffic. This is in anticipation of the borough potentially receiving more than $3 million in grant funds.

Some council members also cited public safety as a reason for changing the traffic pattern. Council Vice President Howard Cunningham read from a number of different reports recommending the section be changed to one way.

Police Chief Douglas Kish reported having the road as a two-way street may help slow down the traffic and prevent speeding.

Some council members noted many residents said they avoid driving down Front Street because of the tight lanes. Smith noted he has no problem driving his large work vehicles on the street.

After several minutes of back-and-forth discussion, the board took the vote to advertise the motion regarding the change to Front Street. The motion passed 5-2, with Smith and Councilman David Bernini voting nay.

Kim Brubaker, of Catasauqua Main Streets, urged council to consider the impact traffic changes will have on the businesses in the area. Jay Cimerol, of Catty Corner Neighborhood Pub and Pie, also noted this change will affect people from out of town trying to navigate the borough. They both asked council to keep these things in mind while considering the proposed changes.

Another resident shared his thoughts, quickly saying that Front Street being a one-way road worked well back in the day.

The other motion approved to be advertised was regarding the closing of the borough pool. Council voted at the Nov. 20 meeting to officially close the pool indefinitely. Ordinance 1436 will repeal Article IV of Chapter 195, regarding the pool, from the borough ordinances. It was approved to advertise.

The ordinances approved include ordinance 1432 prohibiting political activities at the municipal complex, ordinance 1433 excluding contracts with vendors who have delinquent taxes and ordinance 1434 repealing the per capita tax and amending solid waste billing. The ordinances can be found on the borough website, catasauqua.org.

In other business, council discussed some recent issues brought to members’ attention about the Dery Mansion site. It was reported residents complained about losing their parking spaces during events at the mansion. A representative from the Dery Mansion attended the meeting and reported they have been in contact with local churches, including Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, about sharing some of their parking spaces to work toward fixing the problem.

Council approved the meeting schedule for 2024. Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart noted both the January meetings were changed from Mondays to Tuesdays due to holidays. The reorganization meeting will be Jan. 2, 2024, and the regular business meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024.

Additionally, council approved two DRC Technologies contracts for the police department and administration. Eckhart noted they are saving some money in changing the meetings to half-hour increments instead of full hours. Additionally, they are one-year contracts instead of three or four years.

Eckhart reported council will discuss the animal control agreement for 2024 at the January committee meetings. He noted they are no longer using Sanctuary at Haafsville since its stray cat TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) rates have risen, and they do not work with stray dogs. He said he has been in contact with Lehigh Valley Humane Society and No Nonsense Neutering.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick confirmed the combined Walnut Street stormwater and water main project bids were rejected, as approved by council at the Nov. 20 meeting. She noted the revised project with just the stormwater component is expected to be open for bids in early January 2024.

Nedrick also said they are hoping to hear back soon about water and sewer infrastructure grant applications. It was noted the borough was expecting to hear about these grants back in June, but final decisions were delayed.

Additionally, it was noted the borough public works crew has been busy getting projects done. Eckhart said the department “tightened its belt” all year, so there was some budgeted funds left over to allow for the completion of a number of items.

Councilwoman Jill Smerdon reported on a number of issues being addressed by the planning and zoning committee. Smerdon said a letter is being sent to the owner of the “junk yard” on Mulberry Street detailing its violations.

She also questioned if the Dery Mansion contract allows for BYOB. Solicitor Christy Schlottman said she will look into it.

Finally, Smerdon noted there were several violations at a Walnut Street property, which serves as a group home for a protected class of people. She noted the property has failed inspections more than once.

Councilman Gene Schlegel said the recreation committee is planning to hold a meeting for ideas and plans for the pool house and surrounding area. The meeting date will be announced at a later date.

He also noted the holidays are upon us, and many are in need this time of year.

“Consider helping those less fortunate this holiday season,” Schlegel expressed.

This was the last meeting for Councilmen Smith and Bernini. They both shared their thanks to the voters who gave them the opportunity to serve the borough.

“I love our borough,” Smith said, adding he is excited to see how the borough grows in the future.

Borough council next meets 6 p.m. Jan. 2, 2024, for its reorganization and committee meetings.