Northampton Borough Council members plan to meet in small groups over the next two weeks to gather more information about a recent request for the borough to serve as the public sector applicant for the Main Street Matters grant program.

After much discussion and a failed vote during the Oct. 17 council meeting, resolutions 13-2024 and 14-2024 were temporarily denied. The resolutions intended to have Northampton Borough serve as the public sector applicant for the Main Street Matters grant program in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development District Development grant program to support development for resolution 13-2024 and in the DCED Accessible Housing Grant to support development for resolution 14-2024.

Recently, a developer approached the borough asking to designate the borough as the public sector applicant to allow the developer to compete for grant funding from the Main Street Matters grant program. The designation would reportedly be cost-free for the borough.

The plans are to renovate the former bank building at 21st and Main streets into retail businesses on the first floor and apartments on the upper floor.

If awarded the funding, the developer would invest private funds, adding to the grant awards, that would make the project a multi-million-dollar project.

Council’s misgivings revolved around not having enough information about what retail businesses would be going into the building and concerns that the borough might be saddled with costs, despite the developer noting the pursuit of a grant would be expense-free for the borough. The grant plan was reportedly endorsed by state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, and state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd.

Mayor Anthony Pristash passionately advocated for the adoption of resolutions 13 and 14. He noted this will attract small businesses to Northampton.

“This is a great opportunity for Northampton,” Pristash said. “Let’s move ahead on this.”

Many council members said they agree with the massive renovation planned but need more information from the developer about the business and renovation plans.

Council plans to deliberate and vote on the resolutions at the Nov. 7 council meeting.

A challenge is the grant application deadline looms as Nov. 15.

Resolution 11-2024 approved grants permission for the borough to seek a Local Share Agreement grant for the purchase of a fire training property in the amount of $120,163.

Resolution 12-2024 was approved, urging Pennsylvania legislators to oppose House bills 1976 and 2045. If adopted, they will mandate allowing multiple- unit and mixed-use residential developments in commercial districts and will mandate multi-dwellings be permitted on lots within the borough zoned for single-family dwellings.

In other business, council approved the minimum municipal obligation for the 2025 police pension plan, calculated to be $181,176. It is anticipated the state aid will be $141,507. The minimum municipal obligation for nonuniformed defined benefit pension plan for 2025 was calculated to zero. State aid for this plan is expected to be $67,600. The minimum municipal obligation for the 2025 nonuniformed defined contribution pension plan was calculated to be $5,193. State aid to the plan is anticipated at $15,300.

The plan was council approved.

An ad hoc committee of four council members, borough manager and assistant borough manager interviewed four candidates for the office of zoning officer Oct. 7. Council voted to appoint David Lear to the position.

Council rejected a request by a resident on Howertown Road who wants to cut a 10-foot section of curbing to create a 30-feet-by-12-feet parking pad. Borough Manager Brian Welsko, acting zoning officer, recommended the request not be approved due to space considerations. Council vote 8-0 to deny the request.

Councilman Kenneth Hall reported the borough received a check for $46,501 from Brown and Brown Insurance on behalf of Keystone Municipal Insurance Trust for the borough’s workers’ compensation insurance.

Councilwoman Judy Haldeman noted the new replacement playground equipment for Municipal Park will be installed soon. She added the department plans to remove all of the wooden railroad ties at Canal Street Park, due to yearly bee infestations. The wooden ties will be replaced with new concrete ties.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond reported the fire department is hosting its annual basket social Nov. 1-3 at the fire station, 4 Lerchenmiller Drive. Additionally, the department will hold a first monthly breakfast 8-11 a.m. Nov. 10.

Council President Julia Kutzler announced the Change On Main program, funded by Northampton County and operated by Treatment Trends, will hold a meeting 9-11 a.m. Oct. 25 at the office, 1830 Main St. Council and the mayor are invited to attend, so they can meet the new director of the program and talk about the services.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com for information how to access the meeting virtually.