Bethlehem City Council honored the retirements of five city employees March 4.

Christopher Vargo, a fire department worker from 2005-2025, Darlene Heller, Department of Community Economic Development from 2000-2025, and Stephen Dudla Jr. Department of Public Works 2002-2025, were present to receive their citations. Carey Ruhf and Pedro Solivan Jr. were also honored for their retirements but were not present.

A large group of public works employees were present to support and honor their co-worker and friend Stephen Dudla.

Ordinances presented for the first reading were bills pertaining to salary increases for council, council president, controller and mayor, the first time in more than a decade since any of these salaries were increased. Members of council expressed varied opinions regarding this topic, many uncomfortable voting on giving themselves a raise, but council solicitor Stephanie Steward said state law provides for the procedure. Council also wanted to delay the vote until after the election, but a raise for the next calendar year needs to be approved by March 31 of the preceding year.

Mayor J. William Reynolds has repeatedly said he does not want the salary of mayor to be increased from $90,500, and if passed by council he will veto the bill. Councilwomen and mayoral candidate Grace Crampsie Smith said she would vote against salary increases for all the bills/positions.

Among residents to speak during public comment, Bud Hackett suggested raises should be based on merit and “evaluation should determine merit/performance.”