At the Nov. 21 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council approved the hiring of two applicants who completed Civil Service Commission testing and final certifications. Northampton Borough Police Chief Bryan Kadingo requested and received permission to hire Marc Sortino and Matthew Jungbaer.

Both are assigned a start date of Jan. 6, 2025.

Mayor Anthony Pristash administered the oath of office to Sortino and Jungbaer. Pristash noted that as the borough continues to grow in population, there is a greater need for police services.

In Councilman Trevor Stone’s code and police committee report during the Nov. 7 meeting, he said the Civil Service conducted the exam for the position of entry-level patrol officer in the borough police department. There were eight applicants, with these two passing the written and oral exams.

In other business, council voted to approve the placing of bags over parking meters throughout the borough during the month of December. The public works department will place the bags over the meters Dec. 2-Jan. 2, 2025, as a gesture of goodwill toward residents during the multiple upcoming holiday celebrations including Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year.

Council approved the winning bid contract to CNE, an energy providing company, for a 36-month contract at 7.63 kilowatt-hour. APPI Energy, a division of Environ, is the full-service energy consultant company selected by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs energy program that shops for the best energy rates for boroughs.

The new energy contract represents an increase in electric costs for the borough when compared to the current costs. Borough Manager Brian Welsko explained the cost increase comparison with the last contract is not a reflection of current costs. He noted the last contract was a low rate that was entered into at that time.

In his administration and finance committee report, Councilman Kenneth Hall noted the 2025 borough budget will be presented to council at the Dec. 5 meeting.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said the annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony would be Dec. 1 in the recreation center parking lot, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive. The event included performances from Good Shepherd Catholic School and Pennsylvania Classical Ballet Academy.

Santa Claus’ mailbox will be located next to the holiday tree in the recreation center parking lot.

It was noted the change to move the holiday tree lighting from the borough square at Main Street and Laubach Avenue to the recreation center was considered a safety issue with the increased number of people attending, including youngsters, coupled with the closing of two borough streets.

Council and the mayor noted the move to the recreation center is believed to be a prudent change.

In her fire and health committee report, Councilwoman Bonnie Almond said Northampton County has had a burn ban since Nov. 10. Details can be found on the county website, northamptoncounty.org. Almond noted, on behalf of Northampton Borough Fire Department, residents are reminded to practice fire safety when preparing their holiday meals.

At the Nov. 7 council meeting, the members voted to deny an engineering study be done to evaluate turning R. Paul Street into a one-way street from Main Street to Franklin Street. Kadingo explained an inconclusive traffic study regarding the idea to change to one way was completed and requested council consider an engineering study for more data, should council want to move forward on the request.

Hall noted the third-quarter franchise fee from Service Electric in the amount of $5,878.98 was received.

Haldeman noted, in her building, land and recreation committee report, the public works department began the process of winterizing the park bathrooms. Haldeman said all park bathrooms will be closed, except for Canal Street Park, during the winter months.

Council Vice President Ronald Glassic, in his public works and sewer committee report, said public works had taken down the Halloween decorations and put up American flags throughout the borough for Veterans Day.

Glassic added the King Street recycling center will be open to the public 2-5 p.m. Wednesdays and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

In the hearing of persons present, a report was given by a member of the effort to overhaul Fourth Street Park. She said the park is seeking sponsorships from local businesses. Fundraising plans include hoagie sales, local restaurants donating based on dinner sales, a buy-a-brick campaign and applying for multiple grants. She added the effort received a $5,000 grant from Greater Lehigh Valley Automobile Association. She thanked Glassic for his assistance with the project.

The Fourth Street Park project, when completed, is projected to make the park cutting edge for families and children with new equipment providing a variety of fun activities.

During Glassic’s report, he said now that the election is over, we need to be all one nation and move the country forward.

The next borough council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northampton.org to access the meeting virtually on YouTube.