Swan Song for the Redbank Creek Swans

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (RVO) by John Gerow – After gracing the Redbank Creek in New Bethlehem for several years, the Mute Swans have got to go. As is often the case with these territorial birds, they became aggressive. Following attacks on humans last spring and again this summer, New Bethlehem Borough Council has made arrangements with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to “re-home” the flock. Council President Sandy Mateer told the Council that she hoped the swans would be gone this week. The Game Commission is on standby in the event that the Fish and Boat Commission is unsuccessful in their re-homing efforts.

Photo courtesy of Patty Kline

Swans may have been the most elegant, if terrorizing, item facing the New Bethlehem Borough Council at their July meeting on Tuesday evening, July 17, but they were not the only item of business. Council addressed several infrastructure improvement issues as well as continuing work on the Borough’s Social Media Policy. All Council members were in attendance, except for Lisa Kerle. The Council members were joined by Chief Scott Ryan, and Roger Hilliard, Maintenance Supervisor Roger Hillard,
Resident Terry Mateer joined media representatives, Josh Walzak (L-V), Blaine Gold (exploreClarion), and this correspondent.

The Council addressed ongoing improvements to the traffic light poles on Broad Street. Items under consideration are a heavy metal protection sleeve, a warning pole before the intersection, and adding bright, reflective plastic coats to the poles themselves in a effort to make drivers more aware of the location of the light poles while turning. Council also debated several options for the parking meter poles in the municipal parking lot. Options under consideration included just removing the meters and leaving the poles, covering the poles with plastic sleeves, or just capping them with threaded caps, and removing the poles altogether. While removing the poles seems a simple option, it is complicated by the fact that the poles are filled with concrete. Removing them will require breaking the existing pavement and pulling the poles, and their bases, from the ground.

Mr. Hilliard explained that he had discussed removing the poles with two area contractors and that their price estimates were similar. Barry Downs Construction was about $10 per hour less than the other estimate received. Councilman Bain moved that the Council hire Barry Downs to jack hammer out and remove the parking meter poles in the municipal parking lot, except for those needed to mark handicapped parking spaces, by August 15. The motion passed 6 – 1, with Ronald Geist casting the only no vote.

Roger Hilliard reported that the sidewalk repairs and progressing well. Council will be sending out reminder letters to residents reminding them that repairs must be done or the Borough will make the repairs and bill the resident.

Councilman Gordon Barrows reported on the progress that the Communications Committee has made on the Borough’s Social Media Policy. Mr. Barrows presented a final draft to the Council for consideration. After a short discussion, the Council voted to accept the policy as presented. The Social Media Policy will become part of the Borough’s employment policy.

In another matter related to Communications, Mr. Barrows reported that he has put a survey on the Borough’s web site to gauge public interest in the Borough supporting the Redbank Valley Municipal Park through a small per capita tax. After the first day online, there had been 66 responses and a majority of the respondents voted “no.” Residents of New Bethlehem are invited to take the survey by visiting the Borough’s web site. Please use this link to take the survey – http://newbethlehemboro.com/redbank-park-survey

Mrs Mateer, Council President, led a brief discussion about the amount of cardboard that is showing up in the Borough’s trash and whether or not the Borough should adopt recycling. The matter was given to Committee and the Council recessed to an Executive Session with no further voting.

For more information, please see this week’s Leader – Vindicator.

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MEETINGS:
New Bethlehem Borough meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Alltel/Windstream Building on Lafayette Street. Folks may contact the Borough’s office to be placed on the meeting agenda.

MISSION:
New Bethlehem Borough Council fosters business, community, and personal growth within the borough while maintaining the small town appeal and family friendly environment that makes New Bethlehem such a great place to work, live and raise a family.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
To learn more about Council’s Goals & Objectives, please visit: NewBethlehemBoro.com/about and click the ‘Mission’ tab.

CONTACT:
To contact any member of Council or the Borough’s office, please visit: NewBethlehemBoro.com/about and click the ‘Council’ tab. You may also ‘like/follow’ New Bethlehem Borough on Facebook for the latest news/announcements: Facebook.com/NewBethlehem

For more info, please visit New Bethlehem Borough’s website: NewBethlehemBoro.com