Joshua Zellers, a fly-fishing enthusiast and professional Lehigh River fishing guide from Northampton, addressed Northampton Borough Council at its Jan. 18 meeting, requesting the Canal Street boat launch ramp be reopened. He noted drift boating guide businesses desire access to drift fish from Northampton to perhaps 14 miles downriver. Currently, guides are limited to the upper Lehigh River span from above Jim Thorpe to Palmerton.

The request was to open for boat ramp use, perhaps 7 a.m.-7 p.m., for boat access. Zellers noted the borough is losing business and a recreational fishing activity. He added that, because of reduced boat ramp access to the river, there used to be five local bait shops and now there are only two.

He concluded there are excellent trout, walleye fishing and recreation activities on the Lehigh River. The request was to have council examine the situation and consider reopening the Canal Street ramp.

Council President Julia Kutzler said the request will be reviewed and discussed.

Also at the meeting, Northampton Fire Department was granted council permission to hold its second annual summer camp July 8-12 on the fire department grounds, 4 Lerchenmiller Drive. The 2023 inaugural camp was deemed a success under the leadership of Barry Frantz.

Northampton Police Department Chief Bryan Kadingo recommended council approve two accessible parking spaces - one at 726 Main St. and a second at 1813 Lincoln Ave. Council approved the chief’s recommendation.

Council approved the appointment of Robert Solderich to another three-year term to the borough’s zoning hearing board. The term expires Dec. 31, 2026.

Bernadette Klucsarits was appointed by council to the borough’s health board for a five-year term, which expires Dec. 31, 2028.

Kadingo requested and received council permission to send two of his detectives to a training to provide the skills to conduct geofence investigations. A geofence is a virtual boundary created around a location using Google geofence and cellular tower dump technology. The course is Feb. 15. The cost per detective is $250.

Council approved Kadingo’s request to send a police officer to a training series at the Northeast Forensic Training Center in Bethlehem. The six training classes begin Feb. 21 and conclude June 5. The total cost for all six classes is $675.

Public works Superintendent Gregory Morey submitted a retirement request, effective May 3.

“Morey has served the borough admirably and will be missed,” borough Manager LeRoy Brobst said, regarding Morey’s planned retirement.

Brobst said he worked with him for years in the public works department. When Morey started years ago, he was on the garbage truck. When public trash hauling in Northampton ended, Morey became a street sweeper operator and then, because of his work ethic and accumulated knowledge, Morey became the leader of that department. Brobst added Morey does a great job.

“I will miss him,” Brobst said.

It was requested in the building and land report that council consider a request from the leader of Northampton Recreation Center at the next council meeting to raise the daily fee for residents and nonresidents from $12-$15 to $20 per day.

In the code and police report, it was noted rental registration forms were mailed for 2024, and the borough has received $2,075 in registration fees to date.

In the fire and health report, it was announced the borough has ordered a utility truck for the fire department. The funding for the truck is from the borough’s newly instituted fire tax. This tax was council approved for the 2024 budget.

In her report, Councilwoman Bonnie Almond said several residents informed her the train intersection at 10th and Main streets is not safe. When the train crosses Main Street, there are no signals and no lights, it was reported. One resident told Almond he almost hit the train. Brobst said he would look into the matter.

In her report, Kutzler asked council members to review her committee assignments and provide feedback to her. She added each council member, with the exception of one, has two committee assignments.

In his report, Mayor Anthony Pristash lauded the council committee assignments and said he looks forward to working with all of council during 2024.

Kutzler also requested an update on the East Fifth Street water issue to ascertain if there has been any progress addressing the water situation there.

Council Vice President Ronald Glassic, in his report, addressed PPL’s response to replacing sidewalks it needs to fix after the company’s work fixing poles and addressing streetlight issues. He suggested if council cannot get PPL’s cooperation, the borough solicitor may have to get involved.

The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Feb. 1 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.