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Residents press council on potholes, striping and industrial odor; pool staffing and vandalism flagged
Summary
During public comment residents urged action on potholes and missing road striping; one asked how odor complaints compare to tax receipts for a local plant. Council also warned pool opening may be delayed for lack of lifeguards, and public works reported vandalism at park bathrooms.
Resident Frank Domalavitch told council he has seen numerous potholes across Northampton, citing "divots all over the place" near Redner's and asking who would be liable if a car is damaged: the borough or the driver's insurer. He also asked about missing yellow paint striping on borough streets and the schedule and traffic impacts for state work on Main Street between 21st and 24th.
"If you go into one of the holes at night time, if it rains, and you break your axle on the car, who's going to fix it? Is the borough going to fix it, or your insurance company going to fix it?" Domalavitch asked.
Resident Jenny Scrafits raised long-standing neighborhood concerns about an industrial odor and asked which came first — housing or the plant — and how much tax revenue the borough receives from Cap Glass. Borough officials replied that the industrial area has existed for a long time and said staff would consult the tax collector to provide exact tax figures.
In departmental reports, Recreation announced pool passes are available and tentatively set the pool opening for Saturday, June 6 with daily hours of noon to 7 p.m., but cautioned that insufficient staff could force an altered schedule or closure. Public works reported completed spot repairs in the fourth ward and said Hell Drive road work was scheduled to begin May 11. Officials said vandalism in park bathrooms has occurred (about $700 in damage) and suggested closing bathrooms on days when they are not rented.
Why it matters: residents raised immediate quality-of-life and public-safety concerns (potholes, missing striping, odors), while staff warned that municipal services such as the pool depend on hiring lifeguards and that vandalism is an ongoing operational cost.
What’s next: council directed staff to follow up with PennDOT on state road schedules, to consult the tax collector about plant tax revenues, to schedule planned road repairs and to continue recruiting pool staff. Council also approved routine bills and adjourned the meeting.
