Northampton council adopts $25 weekday nonprofit discount for pavilion rentals, removes Main Street parking meters and approves routine permits

At a Borough of Northampton council meeting, members adopted Resolution 526 to amend permit and license fees so qualifying nonprofit organizations may receive a $25 discount on pavilion rentals on Monday through Thursday when they submit a W-9 and request council approval. Council also voted to remove parking meters in the 900 block of Main Street and to award the transport and disposal contract for dewatered sludge to Waste Management.

Judy Haldeman, who presented the Building, Land and Recreation Committee recommendation, told council: "we are not going to waive any fees for non-profit organizations. We would, however, consider a $25 off if they rent Monday through Thursday, and are able to provide their W-9 ... and they must request the waiver through council." Haldeman said Friday through Sunday and holidays would remain the standard price and emphasized that pavilion fees are an income source that should support parks.

Council moved to adopt Resolution 526 to add the $25 weekday discount and to correct a senior refuse fee error in the 2026 fee schedule; the motion was made by Judy Haldeman and seconded by Bonnie Arman, and council voted in favor. As a direct result, council applied the new $25 discount to an outstanding AARP request to rent the 26th Street Park pavilion on Wednesday, June 10; the council approved the request under the new discount rather than granting a full waiver.

Council also approved the following items during the meeting:

- Award of the dewatered sludge transport and disposal contract to Waste Management (Solicitor Stewart reviewed proposals from JP Mascaro and Waste Management and recommended Waste Management). Motion by Kenny Hall; council approved the award.

- Approval of a coin-toss permit submitted by Deputy Chief Andrew Marzen for the Borough of Northampton Fire Department to hold a coin toss on April 25, 2026 (rain date April 26), 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

- Removal of all parking meters in the 900 block of Main Street (motion by Jason Donahue, second by Trevor Stone); council discussed whether to hold reserved spaces for food businesses but decided to consider business requests on a case-by-case basis.

- Approval for officers Eric Shafer and Evan Medlar to attend a Level Two Gracie Survival Tactics instructor course in Telford, Pa., June 22–26 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.), at a cost of $1,250 per officer (motion by Trevor Stone, second by Bonnie Arman).

- Appointment of Leroy Brobst to the Zoning Hearing Board (motion by Judy Haldeman, second by Kenny Hall) and approval for the Northampton Kids Swim Club to use the borough pool twice weekly from early June through the week of July 20 in exchange for a $250 donation (motion by Bonnie Arman, second by Mr. Knauss).

Finance reported incoming funds and credits during the meeting, including a $1,436.79 loyalty credit from the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative and a liquid fuels tax payment of $290,336.33 received on March 18, 2026. Council also moved to pay the borough bills and adjourned after closing business.

What happens next: The $25 discount will be codified in the borough fee schedule under Resolution 526; pavilion requests seeking the discount must submit paperwork and obtain council approval. The parking meter removal will be implemented per the approved motion; any requests for reserved business parking will be considered if formally submitted to council.