Emmaus Borough Council began its first meeting of 2025 with a full agenda Jan. 6 at borough hall. The meeting, called to order 5 p.m., featured the appointment of a new council member.

The session opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, after which council conducted interviews for a vacant council seat. Candidates included Nick Valois, Sarah Dagnall, Spencer Steele, David Hickey and Chris DeFrain, each presenting their qualifications and vision for the borough.

Following deliberations, council appointed DeFrain as the new member, who was immediately sworn in, filling the vacancy and completing the council roster. He will serve a one-year term. The next election will occur this year, with multiple open council seats available.

After DeFrain’s oath of office, the meeting proceeded with a special presentation by Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, offering insights into county-level initiatives and their impact on Emmaus. Armstrong announced this will be the last year of his term.

Next, council opened up to public appeals, where residents were given the opportunity to address concerns and share ideas. Emmaus Rotary representatives stepped up to give updates for a May 31 event, which will be a festival at Emmaus Community Park, starting 10 a.m. and running through 8 p.m. There will be live music, a radio station appearance, kids’ events and a performance by the Craig Thatcher Band. Drinks (including alcohol for 21+) and food will be served all day. This event will also raise money for local charities in the community. This was an announcement with no decision needing to be made during the meeting.

During the community minute, Councilman Roy Anders announced that due to weather, trash will be picked up Jan. 10 and trash should be put out the evening of Jan. 9. Next, the minutes from the Dec. 16, 2024 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Council addressed several communications, including reappointment requests from Vince Tranguch to the civil service commission and Hanover Engineering as the borough utility engineer and sewage enforcement officer. Each request was approved by council.

New appointment requests from Debra Kirkpatrick to the recreation and entertainment commission and Tyler Roberts to the arts commission were also acknowledged and will go to committee level. The last item was a letter of resignation and Enter the Deferred Retirement Option Plan from Chief of Police Jason Apgar. He is now eligible to retire at any time, although he will continue in his current position.

During new business, council adopted Resolution 2025-1, appointing various officials to key positions for the upcoming year.

Committee reports offered insights into specific areas of governance. The public works committee announced its next meeting for Jan. 13, while the parks and recreation committee discussed updates to parks rules and rentals, with its next meeting set for Jan. 16.

The public safety, budget and finance, health and sanitation and community relations committees also scheduled upcoming sessions to address their respective agendas.

Borough Manager Shane Pepe’s report outlined significant personnel updates, including the recommendation to retain Charles Wesch as a full-time public works employee after a successful probationary period, the hiring of Michael Deprill as a part-time firefighter and the termination of an employee. Additionally, Jermaine Hussett was appointed as public works group leader, a move aimed at bolstering the department’s leadership.

In other business, Resolution 2025-2, which detailed the bill list and significant revenues and expenses for December 2024, was approved by the council. Residents were then given a second opportunity to make personal appeals during the latter portion of the meeting.

Council President Chad Balliet concluded the meeting by appointing DeFrain to serve on the budget and finance committee, while Balliet will serve on the parks and recreation committee. Following this, the meeting adjourned.

The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled Jan. 20.