The Feb. 5 Emmaus Borough Council meeting was highlighted by decisions on several new appointments, reappointments and newly introduced ordinances. Plus, in his report, Borough Manager Shane Pepe had a list of new hires in the various EMS departments.

To start the meeting, the new Emmaus Public Library Director Lisa Underwood addressed the council. She began by thanking the borough and gave a short presentation on the various upcoming initiatives and programs taking place at the library. She is an Emmaus High School graduate and is very excited to serve the borough.

In special presentations, representatives from the Emmaus Main Street Partners shared information about the organization with council, specifically for the new members. Their mission is to promote local businesses by aiding in funding, marketing, event hosting, etc. This upcoming Saturday, Feb. 10, will be the Emmaus Soup Crawl. Plus, the East Penn Restaurant Week will be taking place Feb. 25 through March 2. Residents can find more information on the Emmaus Main Street Partners’ social media pages.

Following this presentation, council approved the minutes from the Jan. 15 meeting and then addressed a series of resignations and reappointments within the borough’s commissions and advisory councils.

Karl Hertwig was reappointed to the joint environmental advisory council for a term ending March 7, 2027. Similarly, Lindsey Kleinberg and Sarah Plaza were reappointed to the Emmaus Arts Commission, each for a three-year term.

Part-time Auxiliary Police Officer Neil Valois resigned effective immediately and council accepted resignations from Keith Pierce of the ambulance corps and Justin Fulmer from the recreation and entertainment commission.

Notably, Richard Farmer resigned from the arts commission. Farmer has served on the commission for a very long time; however, he can no longer adequately serve due to mobility issues. The council thanked him for his longtime commitment to the borough.

New appointment requests included Walter Lewis II and Alison Hudak for the historical commission. However, no decisions were made, as interviews still need to be conducted by the commission.

The council granted a request to waive the banner fee for Emmaus Main Street Partners’ Restaurant Week, showing support for local businesses and community events. They also approved the Emmaus Arts Commission’s SnowBlast Winter Arts Festival event request, which will take place noon to 4 p.m. March 9 at the Emmaus Triangle.

Two new ordinances were introduced in new business.

Ordinance 1259 removes a residential disabled parking sign in front of 819 Chestnut St. and Ordinance 1260 addresses the appointment of a solicitor, interest assessment, attorney fees and collection fees added to the amount collected as part of unpaid real estate taxes and municipal claims for delinquent accounts. These ordinances will be on the next agenda at the Feb. 20 council meeting for a second reading and an official decision will be made at that time.

The meeting then moved to committee reports.

In her report, Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert highlighted the newly established youth police academy program. It is a short training program taking place over the next few weeks at the academy.

In the parks and recreation report, newly appointed Councilman Chris Hoenscheid announced the recreation and entertainment commission is seeking a new member.

In general administration, Bruce Luff was appointed to the library board with a 3-year term.

In the budget and finance report, the bill list was approved, totaling $639,430.50. The second approval was for the acceptance of the Portnoff Law Associates Collection of Delinquent Real Estate Taxes and Municipal Claims Proposal.

In Pepe’s report, he covered his list of new hires. This included the hiring of William Garges as a part-time firefighter with EMT certification, along with Corrine Koziel, Brooke VanKeuren and Aaron Werntz as part-time EMTs. Joseph Stern was hired as a part-time firefighter. John Dychala was brought in as a part-time auxiliary police officer.

The only actionable item by the council was the recommendation for Guy Washburn to advance to Class 4, which was approved. Additionally, Pepe announced the termination of a part-time EMT.

There was nothing to report in president’s business and the meeting was then adjourned.

The next Emmaus Borough Council meeting will take place 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at Emmaus Borough Hall, 28 N. Fourth St.