At its July 3 meeting, Northampton Borough Council approved a plan to apply for a 2025 hotel tax grant in the amount of $9,000. The borough will be responsible for a $3,000 match.

The funding would be used to purchase an inflatable screen and concession stand for movies in the park. Plans for this program are in the works, with a start date of 2025.

The inflatable screen is expected to be 33 feet diagonally.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman asked if Northampton Exchange Club would be interested in teaming up with the borough to construct the concession stand. She pointed out the club had expressed an interest in helping to develop a concession stand.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst said he would contact the club to see if members are interested in assisting with the stand.

Council approved a request from Coplay Borough Police Department to use the Atlas Sports complex 8-10 a.m. Aug. 3. The Coplay department will use the sports complex for the physical agility portion of its Civil Service testing.

The city of Bethlehem received permission to use the band trailer for its Halloween parade, scheduled for Oct. 27. The city is required to pay a $300 rental fee and a $150 delivery and setup fee. It is also required to have an insurance policy holding Northampton Borough harmless in the event of an incident.

Councilman Kenneth Hall reported Keystone Cement donated $2,500 to Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum.

Hall added interviews are scheduled for a new borough manager to replace Brobst, who retires Aug. 31.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Haldeman noted pool attendance was well above average due to the recent hot weather.

In his public works and sewer committee report, council Vice President Ronald Glassic said the borough was awarded $50,000 from the Northampton County Livable Landscapes Grant for the repaving of the D&L Trail.

Mayor Anthony Pristash noted 470 Hometown Heroes banners have been placed on the borough light poles. He said the hundreds of public works man-hours to complete the program were worth the effort.

Pristash said Northampton Borough may have the highest number of the Hometown Heroes banners in any borough in the state. He thanked the entire team that developed and implemented the program.

Pristash said the three gardens at Canal Street Park “look spectacular.”

Councilman Ronald Knopf said the Northampton Farmers Market had more than 155 customers attend each of the last three weeks. The market, held at Municipal Park, Smith Lane and Laubach Avenue, is open 3-6 p.m. every Tuesday.

Glassic extolled the increased number of viewers watching the livestreamed council meetings. He noted there were reportedly 421 viewers of the last council meeting.

The next meeting is set for 7 p.m. July 17 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and hybrid options. Visit northamptonboro.com for the entry instructions to view the meeting virtually.