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DECEMBER 24-30, 2020
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Christmas in Nazareth Tradition continued Despite pandemic
Photo of the Month
Window shopping in Bethlehem. Taken in 2019. Photo by Lita Kishbaugh.
Northampton Borough Council Holds virtual meeting, Approves 2021 budget By CHRISTINA SANTO The Northampton Borough Council approved the 2021 budget at their December 17 meeting held via Zoom. Two council members voted against the motion to approve the budget. One of those members was councilman Robert McHale; he expressed that he wanted to soften the tax increase for borough residents by removing or postponing non-discretionary budget items. Councilwoman Judy Kutzler agreed with the idea of reducing expenses, but would rather go after more expensive items, which would have more of an impact.
Borough Solicitor Steven Goudsouzian recommended that council make a motion to advertise for a hearing for the one-way designations on West and Station Alley; these designations are a part of the housing development to be built behind the CVS on West 21st Street. The motion was passed and the hearing will take place at council’s January 21 meeting. The Lafayette College Technology Clinic team presented solutions pertaining to economic development and sport within Northampton Borough at the December 9 planning commis-
Photo by Erin Ferguson
By ERIN FERGUSON Christmas in Nazareth filled downtown Nazareth with the merriment of the season on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an event that brought out the Christmas spirit in anyone who attended. sion meeting. After considering This year’s festivities included the team’s ideas, the planning the Elf Trail, craft and food vencommission recommended that dors, a Holiday Farmers’ Marthey focus on supporting the ket in the Center Square, a virborough’s online presence and tual story time with Santa Claus, celebrating a Northampton Bor- holiday characters, discounts and ough identity. Borough council special promotions throughout approved the planning commis- all the businesses and restaurants sion’s recommendation and al- downtown, and live concerts perlowed the Lafayette College team formed by The Music Makers to move forward with their proj- and other musicians throughout ect. the event. The Nazareth Area A meeting was held on Decem- Chamber of Commerce provided ber 11 to discuss the feral cat situ- gift bags that included coloring ation. The borough health officer, pads, crayons, and tickets to the animal control officer, and both Crayola Experience in Easton. They also passed out teddy bears Continued on page 13 with Nazareth scarves attached to
them (sponsored by Artistic Toys & Promotions, Fidelity Bank, and Mario Andretti), hot cocoa kits, and candy canes. “It was important for us to focus on the kids this year because their world has been flipped upside down due to the pandemic, but we also offered fun things for the adults to do and prizes they could win as well including a Hot Air Balloon ride that was sponsored by Unity Bank,” commented Jessica O’Donnell, EVP of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Continued on page 9
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