Council President Hesch highlights roughly $800,000 in grants and park projects in Bath’s State of the Borough

Council President Frank J. Hesch delivered the Borough of Bath’s State of the Borough address on March 9, outlining 2025 accomplishments and priorities for 2026 while reporting that the 2026 budget was adopted without a tax increase.

Hesch said the borough used grant funding and careful budgeting to limit cost pressures on residents, noting that “the Borough has found ways, with the help of JP Mascaro, to have substantially smaller increases to our sanitation costs.” He listed awards totaling just over $800,000 that the borough has received or will receive, including grants for two public‑works trucks, Old Forge lighting, a backup generator for municipal facilities, and master‑park‑plan implementation funds.

The address framed several completed and ongoing capital projects. Borough Engineer Ron Madison and Manager Brad Flynn have overseen road repairs — Schaffer Street, Craig Street and Schmoskie Way — and the borough completed a backhoe and a Mack dump truck purchase funded by state grants. Hesch highlighted Friendship Stage at the newly designated 1737 Park as a new community hub; volunteers contributed 303 hours to the project and the borough used grant money and matching volunteer hours to meet 50/50 grant requirements.

Hesch emphasized public‑safety efforts: the borough and the Fire Department obtained a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) to install a ‘‘Do Not Block the Box’’ marking near Center Street and Route 512 to help emergency vehicle access. He also thanked the Bath Fire Department for volunteer service and called out improvements in street lighting after a systematic conversion from sodium/incandescent fixtures to LEDs.

On environmental stewardship, Hesch noted the borough acquired a parcel along the Monocacy Creek to enable stream bank and riparian restoration, invasive species removal and improved recreational access. The Monocacy Creek Watershed Association is planning salt‑load sampling at eight sites within the watershed.

Hesch outlined near‑term committee priorities for 2026: the Parks & Recreation Committee plans a summer concert series at Friendship Stage and a tentative return of a farmers‑market pilot; the Public Safety Committee will pursue intersection safety tools (cameras, signage, lights) and training; and the Environmental Advisory Committee will continue creek cleanups, e‑recycling and sanitation contract discussions.

Votes at a glance: Council carried multiple routine and substantive motions by unanimous votes. Notable actions included adopting Ordinance #2026‑744 prohibiting certain classes/sizes of vehicles and prohibiting parking and stopping on Barrall Avenue (roll‑call vote 7–0); authorizing preliminary/final conditional approval for the 202 N. Walnut Street land development (Resolution #2026‑006, 7–0); adopting Resolution #2026‑007 lifting open‑container restrictions (7–0); ratifying authorization of a PennDOT HOP application tied to the Wawa land development at 202 N. Walnut Street (7–0); conditionally approving a municipal solid waste waiver for 403 N. Walnut Street (7–0); approving release/advertisement of RFP #2026‑001 for lawn care (7–0); and approving a $1,240 survey to re‑establish a property pin at 102 E. Northampton Street (7–0). The full meeting record includes roll calls and motions for each item.

The council also agreed to add a Right‑to‑Know Law/records‑access agenda item to the April meeting after public comments raised transparency concerns. An executive session on personnel and legal matters occurred during the March 9 meeting.

The borough’s near‑term calendar includes continued work on the Nor‑Bath Trail, finishing cosmetic work at Friendship Stage, Old Home Weekend planning for September, and advancing stormwater financing pending a PennVest decision. Hesch said the borough will continue to seek grant dollars and to prioritize projects that limit taxpayer impact.

The council adjourned at 8:14 p.m.