After sustaining substantial damage due to a main water break Dec. 26, Trinity Episcopal Church, located on East Market Steet, was forced to close for repairs. This incident provided the backdrop of discussion on the condition of the city’s water sewage and stormwater systems during Jan. 16 City Council.

Director of Water and Sewer Resources Edward J. Boscola faced questions from Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek regarding the awarding of a public contract of $50,000 for Geographic Information System for utility data verification and mapping during the meeting.

Boscola explained to council the software platform has “maps that shows all of our utilities, so water, sewer and stormwater.”

He confirmed the contract was for the second phase of a multiphase contract.

“This phase is going to involve a lot of legwork in some respects, in getting all of our data that is currently on paper or in other electronic format, or actually going down on the field gets correctly loaded onto the GIS format,” Boscola told Kwiatek. He added it will be a multi-decade effort to replace the underground water system.

Kwiatek agreed with Bosola on the importance of the work, citing the Dec. 26 incident as an example, and how important it is to know the age, condition of the water system throughout the city and “to be proactive.”

Councilwoman Kiera Wilhelm asked the city’s Director of Public Works and City Engineer Michael Alkhal for details on a contract of over $50,000 for the project on 10 Monocacy, specifically if bike paths would be added.

Alkhal confirmed asking the design team to consider bike paths, adding, “We have not started the design work. Once we do, that will be something to consider. And if it’s feasible and effective, I’m sure that’s the path we’ll take.”

Bethlehem City Police Deputy Chief Scott Meixell spoke on proposed use of funds under the 2023 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). The moneys from the grant, $39,617.00, will be allocated toward improvements in computer hardware and software for the police department.

Answering a question from Councilwoman Rachel Leon about which fleets, new or older ones, would receive new ruggedized laptops, Meixell responded, “Both in a sense because as new cars come in, we replace equipment with some equipment we can reuse. If we can’t, we get new stuff done with computers. They have a life span. So, they can only be used for so long. And since computers change, that means the mount changes. So, if you buy one, you need to buy the mount that goes with it, that matches.”

Stephanie J. Stewart Esq. was appointed City Council Solicitor. Her predecessor, Brian Panella, resigned last month, after being elected judge for Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.

Mayor J. William Reynolds took time to reflect on the late Rt. Rev. C Hopeton Clennon’s legacy, saying, “The best thing I can say is that he cared about everybody. That should be the mission of all of us. And you know, every time somebody in this city looks out for somebody other than themselves, or sees the big picture, or cares about the community, it will be invoking his spirit. He was an inspiration to all of us, and he will continue to be an inspiration to all of us.

Council ended with a moment of silence.