At the April 7 Emmaus Borough Council meeting, council member Roy Anders invited the public to participate in the Earth Day clean up at Emmaus Community Park 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26. “Be a part of something good to help our community,” Anders said.

Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert also shared 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 the police department is holding its annual “Drug Take Back” Day. Residents can safely discard unused and/or old prescriptions by dropping them off at the police department, 400 Jubilee St.

Gilbert also invited the public to the ribbon cutting for a new business on Main Street April 15. The “Life Made Easy” business will be celebrated 9-11 a.m. with its ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place 10 a.m.

Council approved a bid for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ramp projects for North Moyer Street, Brunner Street, South Broom Street, North Cherry Street, South Cherry Street, First Street and Kline’s Lane. Zgura Concrete was approved for $75,400 for these seven ramps.

Emmaus Borough Manager Shane Pepe noted the price range is $5,000-$7,000 per curb and there are two needed for each intersection.

A high bid proposed was $148,339 which made Zgura’s proposal the most reasonable price. Anders commented “Zgura has done a number of jobs in town and has done a terrific job.” Pepe added the focus is on the Chestnut Street area and areas with increased foot traffic. He encouraged council members to share other specific areas of concern so he can add these requests to the grant application.

Council approved a reduction in security of $32,768.33 for the Emmaus Commerce Center, leaving the remaining balance of $30,000 to be considered for a maintenance fund for the stormwater system until the final approval.

Resolution 2025-10 was approved involving a “declaration of official intent to reimburse general funds used to construct improvements to its well number 1 for PFAS treatment with funds received from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.”

Council adopted the cash handling policy which council member Chris DeFrain, who is a CPA, said “it is a well-written policy” and he and Pepe worked to make sure the policy concentrates on what should be done and not what is currently done.

Council approved Resolution 2025-11 which states “declaration of official intent of the Borough of Emmaus to authorize the borrowing of $2,048,745 from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for the purpose of constructing improvements to its well No. 1 for PFAS treatment.”

Council approved to enter into agreement with Lehigh County for the purchase of state-mandated radios for the emergency services. Lehigh County offered a 5-year loan at 0% interest. Pepe noted this will be at an estimated cost of $164,287 per year plus $121,500 for the radio purchase. Anders questioned the estimated costs of the future of these radios. Pepe explained the radios have a 7-year life expectancy but hopes rotating radios on a replacement schedule can save costs in the long run.

“Police will be using these radios on a daily basis for the seven years; however, there could be other radios not used as frequently, and hopefully we can get nine years out of these radios,” Pepe said.

Solicitor Jason Ulrich said most of the municipalities have agreed to the 5-year plan with Lehigh County. “We don’t have a choice (this is a state mandate) and we need to budget for it for the next five years. They (the county and state) gave us no time to even apply for grants for this,” Pepe said.

The next meeting will take place 6 p.m. April 21 in borough hall.