Emotions ran high during the public comment at the Feb. 4 city council meeting as residents expressed frustration and concern regarding the recent federal government’s aggressive move toward removal and deportation of undocumented immigrants. Numerous requests to make Bethlehem a Sanctuary City/Welcoming City were made by speakers.

Residents with multi-generational ties to this community and students making Bethlehem their home during their university years shared their support of the immigrant community.

Mayor William Reynolds said all residents in Bethlehem, whether they were here for one day or a lifetime, will be respected and treated with dignity. Police are being trained how to interact with ICE. An undocumented immigrant can report a crime without fear of retribution. Funding through the Health Bureau is helping establish a program to improve communication with all residents. Police Chief Michelle Kott insisted state and federal laws will be upheld through judicial rule or court order, while Reynolds said that it is a complex situation and he relies on the expertise of his staff to maneuver through an ever-changing legal environment.

Members of the Historical Architectural Review Board described architectural integrity of new with old buildings within Bethlehem, using 10 guidelines. The committee recently voted against changes to the Woolworth building. Proposed changes that would increase the height of the building and modernize the facade eliminating the art deco style are not within its guidelines. Historic property owner and residents Mary Rose Wilson, Diana Hodgen and Michael Bianco spoke independently, supporting the historic preservation guidelines.

A suggestion by committee member, licensed architect and Lehigh University Professor Nik Nikolov was, “instead of rejecting HARB’s suggestion, send it back to HARB for further review.” He pointed out that by council overriding HARB’s decision they have diminished HARB’s influence so that anyone rejected by HARB can then go to council for a second opinion. Wilson said, “Too much construction, with too much expense will end up gutting the historic district of the charm that people come to Bethlehem for.”

Bianco said HARB is there to protect the historic district and their decisions should be respected. Changes and a re-design are being considered by the architect for the Woolworth project to complement HARB’s guidelines. The board voted to send the design back to HARB for reconsideration and suggested changes.

In other business, residents have raised questions regarding lead in the water. The national goal is to have lead totally removed from the drinking water by 2037. The lead in Bethlehem’s drinking water is below federal standards and has been since 1990. Testing is done yearly, and lines are being replaced, but the city was an early user of lead infrastructure more than a century ago, and replacing it all is a lengthy and expensive process.