Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Emmaus council approves land plans, budget payments and hires; sells surplus vehicles
Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting, Emmaus Borough Council approved two land-development resolutions, authorized payment of the October bill list, approved several municipal vehicle sales and extended conditional offers to two prospective police officers.
Emmaus Borough Council on Oct. 6 approved a series of motions covering land-development plans, the borough's October bill list, the sale of surplus equipment and conditional offers of employment to two prospective police officers.
The council approved three resolutions and several separate motions after short discussion. The items with formal votes included: a plan revision for a 12‑unit apartment at 306 Broad Street; a lot‑line adjustment for parcels at 130 and 132 South Sixth Street; authorization to pay the October bill list; sale of four surplus vehicles/trailers; and conditional offers to two police‑officer candidates contingent on required training and medical clearances.
The land‑use approvals were routine, per council comments. Resolution 2025‑28 conditionally approved the plan revision for a 12‑unit apartment at 306 Broad Street; council members discussed rear parking and a removed garage that will make room for the lot. Resolution 2025‑29 conditionally approved a lot‑line adjustment for parcels owned by 70 35 LLC at 130 and 132 South Sixth Street; the approval included a condition requiring a perpetual easement and unity of ownership between the parcels.
On municipal finances, the council adopted Resolution 2025‑30 to authorize payment of the Oct. 6 bill list. The bill list and payroll totals the council recorded were: bill list $1,103,637.95; payrolls No. 19 and 20, $399,496.21; payroll taxes $128,847.95; for a combined total of $1,631,982.11.
The council also approved the sale of four surplus vehicles and one trailer through the borough's municipal‑bid process. Reported winning bids were: a 1998 Ford Ranger for $3,900; a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe for $2,955; a 2008 Dodge Charger for $2,500; and a 2022 Clayton trailer for $50,250. Council discussion clarified payment and pickup terms: buyers have 14 days to pay and remove purchased items.
Public safety business included motions to extend conditional employment offers to Jeremy Schmick and Zachary Christman as police officers. Both offers are contingent on successful completion of Act 120 training, psychological testing, a probationary period, and completion of an eye exam and physical. Each offer also requires the applicant to sign a contract obligating reimbursement to the borough for Act 120 costs if the applicant fails to complete training or the probationary period; the reimbursement amount is capped at $7,000 and, if necessary, repayable in equal annual installments over three years. The first hire motion (Jeremy Schmick) passed with council assent; the second motion (Zachary Christman) passed with one recorded nay.
Other business on the agenda included progress updates on PFAS remediation at the water station, review of a nuisance‑sign ordinance, and an overlay option that permits brewery operations under current zoning (referenced as ordinances numbered 1111 and 1128, section 27‑409). No formal votes were taken on the nuisance‑sign review or the brewery overlay at this meeting.
Meeting minutes from Sept. 15 were approved; one council member indicated they would record an abstention in paper since they had not attended the Sept. 15 meeting but had reviewed the minutes. The council also moved, by motion, to support a parks project (see separate article on the Knauss Homestead proposal) and discussed fee waivers and outside consulting costs in that context.
The council scheduled its next full meeting for Oct. 30 at 4:45 p.m. and noted upcoming budget hearings beginning Oct. 16. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
