At the Oct. 16 Bath Borough Council meeting, council voted to advertise the preliminarily 2025 general fund budget. The current proposed general fund budget has no tax hike.

An addition was made to the budget during the meeting. At the reminding of borough Manager Bradley Flynn, council voted to add $3,500 for animal control to the budget.

A resident asked council to not allow a Wawa store in the borough. He cited a number of reasons for opposing the store, including lower property values, damage to small businesses already in Bath and loss of jobs. Council President Frank Hesch noted plans are in the early process, with the borough planning commission examining plans before any firm decisions are made.

Council approved awarding a bid for the Old Forge Estates LED street lighting upgrade. The accepted bid was for about $400,000, pending solicitor and engineer reviews.

A motion to use $25,000 from the Grow NORCO Grant for phase 1 park improvements for trail work in the parks was discussed to be used for the Ciff Cowling announcer booth porch and band shell project.

The law firm Grim, Biehn and Thatcher plans to assign Patrick Armstrong to work with the borough. The transition from borough Solicitor James Kratz to Armstrong was approved by council.

The environmental advisory committee reported a new sanitation contract may include a garbage fee increase. Other municipalities have recently received large increases in the fees charged by their contracted haulers.