AUGUST 7-13, 2014 Your Local News
50 cents Orange Frozen Yogurt Now Open in Bath Page 16
Tire Maintenance Tips - Page 15
The Home News Addition to fire Station dedicated In Northampton By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
A 4,000 square foot addition to the Northampton Fire Department’s facilities on Lerchenmiller Drive was dedicated in a ceremony Saturday morning. A 2013 Northampton County bond issue made it possible for Northampton Borough Council to approve the addition, built at a cost of $500,000. Several persons had remarks during the ceremony inside the addition. Mayor Thomas Reenock recognized the professional skill and education of the firefighters who serve the residents of Northampton. He thanked members of Council and the late Frank Horvath who owned the land on which it was built, culminating a dream that began in 1994. Council President John Yurish expressed pride in the borough and the fire department, and the dedication of its personnel. Robert Meteff, Director of Emergency Services for Northampton County, remarked about the three individual departments of the past that became one. He asserted people make up the community, and this building is filled with those who make the apparatus work. State Representative Julie Harhart presented a citation and remarked about the commitment and passion of the firefighters who put their lives on the line each and every day at Station 42. Fire Chief Robert Solderich introduced the firefighters who were able to make fit rom his 45-person company, noting that a number could not attend because of work or being on vacation. Having served as chief for 10 years, Solderich said he is glad that in that time there were no serious injuries or deaths from
Bath Bill Halbfoerster Honored at Council Meeting Page 7
Heavy equipment was brought in on Tuesday to demolish a home at 128 S. Chestnut St. The – Home News photo home was damaged by fire earlier this year.
Rental properties, Creek Rd. Concerns addressed in Bath By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Although only on the agenda for Monday night discussion, a rental property registration/inspection program drew concerns from the audience that Bath Borough Council will eventually enact an ordinance certifying the program, in which all the details are not as yet known. A large number of Creek Road residents were also present, wondering what will be done in a paving project at Creek Rd. and Century Dr. Joe Tavianini, owner of a number of properties in Bath, questioned if there is any paper work involving the rental properties. He said he can’t discuss anything without something to go on. A short time later, a 14-page research report from the Rental Property Inspection Committee of Borough Council was passed out to the audience. Council President Robert
Fields and Councilwoman Michele Ehrgott emphasized to Tavianini and others in the audience that Council is looking for input. Councilman Mark Saginario added that there would be no vote for some time. A resident, James Skamielawski, alleged that there are problems over in Old Forge, some of whom are welfare recipients. A woman asked if there is spot-checking. Saginario explained some of the reasoning behind checking on residential housing. “There are no specifics yet, we’re just getting ideas,” he said. The Borough has a property maintenance program already in place. Saginario added, “We want to start somewhere, not so much though that it can’t be controlled.” Borough Manager Tom Petrucci said the Borough is looking for feedback. Councilwoman Kathryn Roberts noted that Petrucci
has checked other municipalities – boroughs and cities – on what programs they have in place that concern rentals and owner occupied dwellings. Petrucci said data collected from other municipalities should provide some guidance on how they want to go. Tavianini countered, “We have enough ordinances that we can’t enforce.” Again, Fields said, “Council has been updating ordinances, and all they are doing now is gathering facts.” Tavianini accused the Borough of not being able to take care of its own properties. Mrs. Roberts noted that some property owners have complained about neighbor tenants. The research report that was handed out has “many pros and cons in it that need to be examined,” Council-
Focus on Folks 60+ Pointers for Folks with Aging Parents Page 8
Northampton Literary Landscape Refurbishment Set For Library Page 9
73rd Year, Issue No. 32 www.homenewspa.com
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