During the May 2 Northampton Borough Council meeting, Mayor Anthony Pristash mentioned the Northampton Police Department might have outgrown its police station at Laubach Avenue and Smith Lane. He suggested council members visit the police department to see its limitations.

Pristash asked the building, land and recreation committee to begin the process “in a budget-friendly way” of developing an expansion plan for the police department.

The mayor also reported the visit to Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum by U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild, D-7th, was a success. He noted he spoke with her about potential grant funding opportunities for Northampton.

In other business, a resident asked about an alley ordinance in the borough due to reported speeding down his alley. When he asked if he could put a speed bump in the alley, council President Judy Kutzler said the borough does not allow residents to install speed bumps.

It was reported there is no specific alley ordinance, but the matter would be investigated.

Council opened sealed proposals for road materials for the borough as well as North Catasauqua Borough and the Northampton Borough Municipal Authority. Numerous items were presented in only one bid received from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company. The bid was accepted pending review by the borough solicitor.

Northampton Fire Police received council permission to use a command vehicle or borough van to attend the Hershey Fire Show, set for May 17 or 18.

The borough of Bath received council permission to rent the Northampton portable band trailer for its Olde Home weekend, planned for Aug. 9-11. Bath will pay a rental fee of $300 per day and $150 for delivery and setup. Bath already provided a certificate of insurance.

Zion Evangelical Church received council permission to use Uptown Park for church services May 19 and June 23 from early morning to early afternoon. All fees were waived.

Council approved a request for an accessible parking space from a resident in the area of the 1300 block on Newport Avenue. Northampton Police Chief Bryan Kadingo recommended approval of the request.

Covenant United Methodist Church of Moore Township was approved to use the Northampton portable band trailer for a church picnic and worship service Aug. 11. The rental fee is $300 per day with a $150 delivery and setup fee. They will provide an insurance certificate holding the borough harmless.

A resident in the 2100 block of Main Street requested the police chief complete a study to provide necessary parking restrictions for businesses in the area. Currently, there are two “no parking” signs restricting parking between eight or nine spaces or approximately 180 feet.

It is believed this is an excess number of business parking spaces. Council directed the chief to investigate the matter and make a recommendation.

Hall also reported borough Manager LeRoy Brobst and Brian Welsko, assistant borough manager, plan to attend a digital navigator training at Northampton Community College. The training is hosted by Northampton County.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman’s report noted municipal pool passes are available for sale and can be purchased only at the recreation center, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive. Haldeman added the municipal pool is scheduled to open June 1.

Councilman Trevor Stone said the recent annual police fishing contest was a well-attended success. He thanked everyone who donated and attended.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond reported the fire department’s recent coin toss raised about $4,000 for the department.

Council Vice President Ronald Glassic said Catasauqua Borough gave Northampton topsoil and fill when Catasauqua Area School District constructed its football field. Catasauqua officials reportedly recently contacted Northampton requesting any clean fill from Northampton to help fill the defunct municipal swimming pool.

As a consideration for Northampton’s return of fill and dirt, Catasauqua gave Northampton some pool equipment it no longer needs. Brobst noted the pool equipment donated from Catasauqua Borough included pool ropes, automatic pool cleaners, water-quality monitors and more.

Glassic added a public works crew installed a new slide and diving board at the municipal pool.

Haldeman asked if the pool is fully staffed. Brobst said he anticipates full staffing for the 2024 pool season.

Councilman Jason Donahue said May 1 started “grass season,” and he asked residents to follow the grass cutting ordinance. Donahue said code enforcement would be out looking for violators of the grass ordinance.

Glassic suggested council cease waiving rentals of the borough’s band trailer and earmark the fees for the parks and playgrounds for kids. Kutzler said the suggestion was a “great idea.”

Council and Pristash honored the memory of the late Rev. Jerry Mraz, who died April 24. Mraz served the Northampton community for decades in a number of roles. Recently, he was instrumental in the development of a monarch butterfly way station at Canal Street Park.

“[Pastor Mraz] was an icon in this community,” Brobst said. “He was a good Christian gentleman.”

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 16 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave., Northampton. The meeting is hybrid, offering both in-person and virtual options. Contact northamptonboro.com for how to access the meeting virtually.