[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6348918,"mediaKeyId","2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d","parentId",2239674,"title","Public Works outlines lead‑line inventory timeline and says sinkholes reflect freeze‑thaw stress on pipes","audioSeconds",540,"startMs",8820000,"endMs",9360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d&start=8820&end=9360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d/thumbnail_8820000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348918/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Public-Works-outlines-leadline-inventory-timeline-and-says-sinkholes-reflect-freezethaw-stress-on-pipes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348918-bc75355ec7b101411db6978713328580/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221794&Signature=gMI4dTiwyq38oGt813Vn-HD0JuE7dJ-FqKQu3yIku4K8wSKhRgM99k6e~vsY8-zyuCjdfjGZSNPTrKkGJsa9oOg8Rq7FDCkuhf2lu8qXOC51KaTPRsp~XhhNScFg7C17BbXAIFctoR8SKrQTOArOBpiVb~yRhCWUYvwbhxvlAU7gdWhKSj5TxO~yu6UyK3j3-vyZBVNPp7cNUFhL6658A7PB0PsyiAWgDjrSNDoey9a8nW4OfLmjwAgt9EYVhI5eHIYSCK6kvQcYZXyQvS9c1Gj1BZLnSGwwaky8YreUV-qjOukSg100g-8kyA-AqXEb8Q~Rh3LylCQp12lGvo~uXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bethlehem, PA","date","2025-02-05T04:33:30Z","article","Public Works Director Michael Alkal updated Bethlehem City Council on the city’s lead-service-line identification and replacement program and addressed recent sinkholes and water‑main breaks.

Alkal said the city’s lead identification effort is an ongoing, long‑term project. Federal guidance requires water systems to identify service-line material by 2027 and then plan replacements; Alkal said the federal timeline effectively gives utilities approximately 10 years after identification to complete removal.

“We do not get a lot of feedback, to be perfectly honest. Out of 37,000 customers, probably less than a couple hundred” have self‑reported potential lead service lines, Alkal said. He added the city conducts lead testing yearly and has used corrosion inhibitors to keep drinking-water lead levels below federal limits for decades.

On sinkholes and recent pipe stress, Alkal described the current winter as more volatile than recent years. “These fluctuating temperatures…tend to create freeze‑thaw conditions and…put stress on the pipes and causes breaks,” he told council. Staff said they inspect breaks quickly, coordinate with inspectors and advise residents on insurance and remediation steps when private property is affected.

Council members asked about whether self‑reports expedite replacements; Alkal said self‑reports are entered into the inventory but do not trigger automatic replacement unless a leak or damage is present. He said the drinking-water tests have met federal lead limits for the past 35 years and the city will continue sampling and corrosion-control treatment.

Alkal said the work will be multi‑year and is part of a nationwide requirement under the Lead and Copper Rule and recent federal guidance. Council asked for continued updates and for staff to include outreach methods to increase homeowner participation in the inventory.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02042025 Council meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works told council the city is identifying lead service lines by 2027 and plans to replace lead lines over a subsequent 10‑year period; the director said winter freeze‑thaw cycles have increased sinkhole and water main break activity.","taxTitle","Bethlehem, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania","taxId",9659,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348923,"Speakers urge more trash pickup and 24‑hour restroom access near Minsee and Fahey bridges; Public Works says receptacles are emptied twice weekly",5050,906000,5956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d&start=906&end=5956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d/thumbnail_906000.jpg","/articles/6348923/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Speakers-urge-more-trash-pickup-and-24hour-restroom-access-near-Minsee-and-Fahey-bridges-Public-Works-says-receptacles-are-emptied-twice-weekly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348923-c07eb9f0e8bb17a86f532e15b5375615/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221794&Signature=Jpwn1NZLf4cyEmTrRPoJd4JgX1mP2OgBjl-K0O5z5KpFQJbsAZI5kWrn8lFaes6HT2he9~Tx-E9gpz-Sc8r1lskg49XHdyvJVB7-9xr98Gx04u5xpXTrX0li8mTqcJ8OJzykxtJAK8JyYphsdPYEnAzX4~4axYXho4e1TdmIpeWcUFFmvjJJLFHaFZDMKaPSGDXyQZ1vozDDfcWsLomH5cfMW~~GXgB~dgDNvfDYLG3cURUWbU9PioT~V~y2ytt8B0LIJys3T6vf71Anr-Zp1pEXJWsUlAbhu40rypXLTxHuTo-2LVxbfvXRwS1IoWiV1FLNa8tLKSPs8UQtv9gV5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents and community organizers urged Bethlehem City Council Monday to address sanitation and services for people living in encampments under the Fahey Bridge and the Minsee (Minsee/Mincy) Trail bridge.

Speakers described an encampment they estimated at “about 200 people” near the Mincy Trail Bridge and said that locked public restrooms, infrequent trash removal and lack of regular outreach worsen public-health risks and quality‑of‑life issues for both residents and trail users.

“Is there some way that can be done to increase the cleaning out of them, whether it be weekly or biweekly…as the residents that are down there do their best to try to clean up the trail,” said a speaker who identified himself as Sean, describing requests from people living along the trail.

Public commenter Valerie Noonan said an organizer at the encampment asked whether the city could provide weekly trash pickup and unlock public bathrooms for people who do not use winter shelters.

City staff and council members directed questions to Public Works Director Michael Alkal. Alkal said trash receptacles along parks and trails are “typically, at least twice a week” on current schedules. He acknowledged that the city’s work is ongoing and that additional coordination with parks, health and outreach partners could be needed.

Other speakers recommended targeted services rather than sweeps, including mobile outreach, trash pickup, and reopening the Sand Island restroom for 24‑hour public access or adding another facility near festival grounds. Cameron, a resident, suggested adding garbage service and a second restroom near the festival grounds and the music-fest areas.

Council members asked staff to follow up with department heads and nonprofit partners and said questions raised during public comment would be brought into new-business discussions and future committee work.

No formal council directive was adopted at the meeting; council members said they expect further staff reports on outreach, restroom access and service schedules.","Multiple commenters described large encampments under Fahey and Minsee Trail bridges and asked for weekly trash collection, unlocked restrooms and more outreach. Public Works said park receptacles are typically emptied at least twice a week.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348928,"Council approves year‑end budget adjustments, grants and contracts; Linden Street design and federal grant authorized",73,6546000,6619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d&start=6546&end=6619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d/thumbnail_6546000.jpg","/articles/6348928/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-yearend-budget-adjustments-grants-and-contracts-Linden-Street-design-and-federal-grant-authorized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348928-edcd4a3f11455f8026aee8cb248bc428/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221794&Signature=DVTXnORjXA~89L6szp2EUg3HnM1wFnJMmy04YTaqrEks6XlDrWD1ORLIf5JrQxwssR-TL7FbjmaoQmzeg43HlPUwMStZHnr~EfLTa-De7kClunTyRFReN-8bcW8j6vJ8N8pksZ1FfU0JWzMZLGGCaVUwvOSd74DzwEWWD8w~1WhdotF8rEUGMI4esSOn2PrqUp3FcH2Xe~bdFsVar583B7GX2rtbprjNF18D8iQ-oaJ3d8zLR7wuEgZJnDq2mnnPs2g-94XK0nl7ZLsNWeF1Ctrlo8bIscZWl2XXThboPBPeKf5UcDPOEXmMDbwYlbJ8cAVEwyrNEtF-4gbL6OpOAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bethlehem City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions Monday to reconcile late-2024 receipts and to authorize consulting and design work tied to ongoing capital projects.

Council approved ordinances to amend 2025 capital and operating budgets across multiple funds, and it grouped many of the routine appropriations into single votes to expedite action. All motions discussed and voted on at the meeting passed unanimously, 7-0.

Key items approved included:

- Amendments to non‑utility, sewer and water capital budgets (bills 1–3 of 2025) (each passed 7-0).
- Authorization to contract with Benoni Associates Inc. to perform preliminary engineering and design work for the Linden Street two‑way conversion (agenda item 10b). The council also authorized acceptance of a federal preliminary-design grant of $206,000 toward that work (resolution 10f); final design and construction agreements will be negotiated after completion of the preliminary design.
- A contract with St. Luke’s Occupational Medicine for Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing administration and compliance reporting, at an annual cost of $7,000 (resolution 10a, passed 7-0).
- A contract with WSP USA Inc. to assist with transition of climate action plan implementation tasks to the city’s sustainability manager, capped at $20,000 through 12/31/2025 (resolution 10h, passed 7-0).
- Multiple year‑end budget reconciliation ordinances for the general fund (grouped agenda items 9e–9m), the golf fund, and the community development block grant fund (final motions passed 7-0).

Council President Miller read the communications and resolutions into the record and members of the finance committee explained that many of the changes reflect reimbursements, grant awards, contract receipts and roll‑over funds from the fourth quarter of 2024; the ordinances reconcile those sums with the 2025 budget and do not, by themselves, authorize unplanned spending beyond previously awarded funds.

Councilmembers briefly discussed project timing and sources of federal funds; the mayor warned that federal freezes and changes in grant portals are creating uncertainty for municipalities and nonprofits and urged caution in assuming reimbursement timing. The Linden Street design will proceed with preliminary engineering; if federal funds are confirmed the city anticipates negotiating final design and construction contracts.","Bethlehem City Council approved a package of ordinances and resolutions amending multiple 2025 budgets, authorized preliminary design work and accepted federal preliminary-design funding for the Linden Street two‑way conversion, and approved contracts for DOT‑mandated testing and climate transition support.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348932,"Council sends Woolworth Building proposal back to historic board after heated debate",4750,3204000,7954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d&start=3204&end=7954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d/thumbnail_3204000.jpg","/articles/6348932/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Council-sends-Woolworth-Building-proposal-back-to-historic-board-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348932-19780227139623b83a74098ebd222995/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221794&Signature=jS6hVQODZz5twoaomRDl9aqkSSqqY2eKi5lNezWvoxL61W~6T8lzEk1lt9zPvqo4cyePT4EDm589DiVAfcPLdXUXeIdn3boE-CZSm7kYp5pMDpCLkf3ujUjUUdFnggjfE3OrggGANnIINyevztC1PNpGM1CkDlOYtMG9X5oLkssMb2W7OvWBtaTKDVgGTdA0hKJz1DT0ufqXCRNOC3eBYWQ3tyzOtK3Oqf7BvC7aU0tozf~W4oeh3VBYSqk0AI6brgLXvcVFDYjQzz8dNw1~ua9kotWlK6OTxY8hrm3sIoNdpIURKuQMZDDwCyMsLdvxjByiuRfD4T~vlVHeEcUUHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bethlehem City Council voted 7-0 to return a certificate-of-appropriateness (COA) application for 555 Main Street — the former Woolworth Building — to the Historic and Architectural Review Board (HARB) for further review and explicit recommendations.

The applicant’s attorney and architect told council the owner redesigned the project after a December HARB meeting to incorporate the board’s comments on materials, window patterns and the upper-floor setback. Julie Bernstein, representing the owner, said the revised design “visually distinguishes the new from the old” and preserves the Woolworth facade while adding housing above Main Street retail.

Several speakers from HARB and the historic-district community urged the council to uphold the board’s denial. Diana Hodgson, a HARB member who spoke during public comment, told council “adding three stories to the iconic Woolworth Building does not fit in this criteria,” citing Bethlehem’s guidelines on scale, massing and the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for rehabilitation.

Owner Louis (Lou) Hector spoke in favor of the project and said the building “is basically obsolete” and requires a multiyear, multimillion‑dollar rehabilitation. He said the plan would preserve storefront retail and that attempts to reconcile the design with HARB’s earlier comments had been made.

Architect Todd Chambers said the addition is set back from the Woolworth facade, uses brick to match Main Street’s materials, and reconfigured windows to align with adjacent storefronts. He said the proposal is permitted by-right under the central business zoning code and that no zoning relief is needed.

Council members expressed differing views but coalesced around sending the application back to HARB with a specific request: if HARB recommends denial again, the board should state what changes to plans and specifications would lead to an approval. Councilwoman Laird made the motion to remit the application; Councilman Callahan seconded it; the motion passed 7-0.

The council action pauses the certificate-of-appropriateness decision and asks HARB to provide clearer, prescriptive guidance on how the application could be modified to meet the city’s historic-design standards.","Developers seeking to add stories to the Woolworth Building on Main Street presented revised plans; the Historic and Architectural Review Board recommended denial and council voted to return the application to HARB for further guidance.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6348937,"Residents urge Bethlehem to adopt ‘welcoming city’ protections as council and police describe limits of local authority",4780,301000,5081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d&start=301&end=5081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2239674-8125aa104bbc17a29394f74b3e5c630d/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6348937/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Residents-urge-Bethlehem-to-adopt-welcoming-city-protections-as-council-and-police-describe-limits-of-local-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348937-e1e75f227337360fd440229c1331ec4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221794&Signature=BmkTwDGVI3~tw7gUymNEPG0UCYpIO8jslXUjLaJ~NFu0CGicU0qFTu32To5YFV7ZP5knoZTNc4Ab5JRu~LZ7~0KZLAgQ4febWswhD6WLQKptkbAojyFIN7faPdhwA2IpsdhLPuXirITbSMqxKERc7uhtTaOCidEFr3AlBAFwGEZYUk2Nspz0YPYyhgKEs6~qax6Yqou0oHZbPW4wTmasRHRmEiMzLLBQibV65WqpCOxSWKpRZiy8Dldi5-EeaBaX-5JOsn7hxr0EDUbls5Yfz2PCIT81Cc~oNkEtdYVSdYEOU2~-gaUlrcOlFMXN4J4KquC9kxj~48PNAcWDDRRXSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents at Monday’s Bethlehem City Council meeting urged the council to adopt a “welcoming city” or sanctuary-style policy that would limit the city’s voluntary cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Speakers described fear in immigrant families and asked the city to put its practices in writing.

The calls came during public comment, when residents of South Bethlehem, college students and faith leaders described daily anxiety over possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits and asked the council to make explicit that local resources will not be used to facilitate deportations.

“Please consider passing an executive order which states that police is not to comply with ICE detainer request unless they are supported by your judicial warrant and pertain to a person convicted of a felony involving violence,” said Karen Vasquez, who identified herself as a daughter of undocumented immigrants and a South Side resident. Several other speakers described similar personal or family fears.

The council heard multiple accounts: student speakers from Lehigh University said immigrant neighbors contribute to the city’s economy and community life; veterans and faith leaders urged compassion; and community organizers said they want to document a municipal policy so protections cannot be reversed without a vote.

Council and administration officials said they understand residents’ fears but described the limits of municipal authority. Bethlehem Police Department Chief Sean Cott told council that the department’s “mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents regardless of their immigration status” and that the department does not participate in the federal 287(g) program.

Mayor J. Reynolds and City Solicitor Matthew Spirk emphasized that local officials must follow state and federal law. Reynolds said the city would “follow federal law” if federal agents present a judicial warrant or court order, while also saying the city will continue efforts to maintain community trust. Solicitor Spirk added that schools and houses of worship are sensitive settings and local officials are coordinating with district and faith leaders about procedures.

Residents and student speakers argued that formal, local policies would offer clearer protections and increase trust so people report crimes and use city services. Multiple speakers asked the council to follow Allentown’s model, which they said spells out when municipal employees should refuse voluntary cooperation with ICE unless compelled by law.

Councilmembers asked police, the solicitor and the administration several procedural questions about training, multi-lingual emergency messages and the city’s ability to refuse voluntary assistance to federal agents. Chief Cott said the department provides regular training to officers, has policies prohibiting discriminatory stops and that officers receive updates on responsibilities regarding federal immigration enforcement.

The meeting did not include a council vote on a welcoming-cities resolution. Several council members said they support further review and coordination with Harb, the police and legal staff and signaled interest in returning to the topic after additional legal and procedural review.","Dozens of residents pressed Bethlehem City Council to adopt a policy limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Police and the mayor said the department will follow federal law but stressed local priorities to protect community trust.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Works outlines lead‑line inventory timeline and says sinkholes reflect freeze‑thaw stress on pipes

Speakers urge more trash pickup and 24‑hour restroom access near Minsee and Fahey bridges; Public Works says receptacles are emptied twice weekly

Council approves year‑end budget adjustments, grants and contracts; Linden Street design and federal grant authorized

Council sends Woolworth Building proposal back to historic board after heated debate

Residents urge Bethlehem to adopt ‘welcoming city’ protections as council and police describe limits of local authority