At the Feb. 6 Northampton Borough Council meeting, there were several requests to rent the borough’s portable band trailer and portable restrooms during 2025.

In recent months, council pondered the trailer’s future due to maintenance issues and questions about its use going forward. Council increased the trailer rental fee, and demand for the trailer and rest room from outside entities and borough groups remains robust.

The Greater Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce requested and received permission to hold the 36th annual Uptown Street Fair Sept. 13. Council also approved a request from the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce to rent the portable band trailer and bathroom June 7, July 26 and Oct. 18 for public celebrations. The city of Bethlehem requested the portable band trailer and bathroom for its Halloween parade Oct. 26.

All the organizations will pay the $450 fee and will add Northampton Borough in a certificate of insurance.

Northampton Area School District received council permission to rent the borough’s portable restroom for its 10th annual Student Council Car Show 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 26 at Bicentennial Park West in East Allen Township.

Council approved an agreement between Northampton Borough and 1249 Newport Avenue LLC for construction improvements within the interior of the building. This was required as there is a delay in Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permits.

An agreement with First Regional Compost Authority for yard waste composting services for 2025-27 was approved. Northampton Borough residents can pick up mulch for their gardens and landscaping at no cost.

Northampton Borough Police Chief Bryan Kadingo received permission to send officers to trainings. Officer Joseph Britt will be attending a fire investigator certification course in lower Bucks County 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 2-13, at a cost of $950. Officer Robert Lindsay will be attending a law enforcement officers firearms instructor course in Boyertown at the Douglas Township Police Range March 10-14, at a cost of $1,200. Lindsay will also attend a duty handgun red dot instructor’s course at the Irem Shrine Range March 17 and 18, at a cost of $500.

Council approved an agreement of a computer/IT service contract with DRC Technologies effective Jan. 20-Feb. 28, 2026.

Council approved a request for an accessible parking space in the 600 block of Washington Avenue. Kadingo recommended rejecting this request based on the borough ordinance but noted the person would benefit from an accessible space.

Lehigh Township requested and received permission for Northampton Fire Police assistance at the Fireman’s Sportsman Night March 29.

Northampton Exchange Club received permission to hold the annual Northampton Community Days Fair July 16-19 at Municipal Park.

The Northampton KIDS Swim Club was approved to conduct summer swim practices at the municipal pool 8-10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning in early June and ending the week of July 21. They plan to make a $250 donation to the borough pool.

In his administration and finance committee report, Councilman Kenneth Hall noted the borough received $5,451.17 in franchise fees from Service Electric. He added the borough received $537,199.26 in garbage payments as of Jan. 31. He added the code enforcement office is now located in the borough office building.

In her building, land and recreation committee report, Councilwoman Judy Haldeman said tax preparation assistance is being scheduled at the recreation center.

The recreation center is now designated a Fit On Health facility. Those with Highmark or Blue Cross insurance may be eligible to enroll in the program. Call the recreation center for details.

Councilman Trevor Stone, in his code and police committee report, noted the borough received $13,990 in rental registration and collection fees. He announced this year’s trash bill contained information about properly placing trash and recycling outside of residents’ homes with a reminder all trash must be placed in a can with a lid.

Councilwoman Bonnie Almond, in her fire and health committee report, announced the fire department’s annual purse bingo is March 30. The doors open 11 a.m., and bingo begins 12:30 p.m. Visit northamptonfire42.com for further details.

All of council thanked the Northampton Fire Department and the other fire companies that assisted with the large fire at the Greenstar Recycling facility on Smith Lane. Council President Julia Kutzler noted one million gallons of water were used to stifle the fire. Mayor Anthony Pristash also applauded the mutual aid used to combat the fire.

Pristash eulogized the passing of Marty Fella, a well-known photographer and volunteer with Northampton Exchange Club for many years.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com on how to view the meeting virtually.