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The Home News Your Local News
NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 4, 2019
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Northampton 2020 Budget includes first Tax increase since 2016
Photos by Gregory Morgan Photography
Residents express concern over Lack of library funding By JASON KAMERY It was standing room only as residents came to the Board of Supervisors meeting for Upper Nazareth Township on Nov. 20. Handing out buttons and waving signs, the community expressed concerns over funding being cut to the Memorial Library in Nazareth. Lisa Klem, the Upper Nazareth Township manager, provided background detail to the audience about what they have cut to combat the town’s deficit. “We still have a $50,000 donation in the budget for the Memorial Library,” Klem said. “My salary will not increase, that’s a cut of $2,640.” Klem also stated other budget cuts including $16,000
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of permitting software, $45,000 of part-time patrolman salaries, $35,000 for a police vehicle and the town will not participate in Pibbles Paws, a savings of $6,400. Next year’s budget is expected to run a deficit of $135,000. When public comments were allowed, library Director Holly Bennett was first to speak to the Board of Supervisors. “I want to thank this committee for their support this evening,” Bennett said. “But I also want to make a comment that I participated in the budget meetings and with all due respect Mr. Rinker, when we talked about this your response to me was everything you do at the library I can do on Google. So I would like to hear other voices tonight, not because I am the director but because this library is so important to this community. From children reading books, to seniors getting their taxes prepared. It’s not just about getting on your computer and using Google. Some of the people that use our library don’t even
have access to Google and they count on us to provide it to them so they can get a job, so they can go forward and make their life better.” Residents then took turns discussing personal stories about the library, services that it has offered to help them in a time of need and how the library helps everyone, especially the low-income community members. One resident praised the library saying, “I came to this town six years ago and one of the main reasons I came was because you have a great library here.” Another resident stated, “It’s not just Upper Nazareth Township being impacted by the budget cuts we made, it’s also the neighboring communities and our library was just awarded a Gold Star by the state because of what it does, we shouldn’t be cutting their budget.” Terri Sayago, the library board vice president, addressed the Continued on page 2
By KERI LINDENMUTH The 2020 draft budget was presented to Northampton Borough Council during their November 19 meeting. The budget includes a 0.5 mil property tax increase, the first tax increase for borough residents since 2016. The tax increase will equal roughly $25 for the average borough property. The budget totals about $7 million, with a $1.4 million clos-
ing balance. Several new hires are included in the budget, including one new police officer, two new public works employees, and one new sewer plant trainee. Funds have also been designated for new police, fire, and public works equipment. A new Chevy Tahoe will be purchased for the police department, while Continued on page 5
Thoughts on ‘Geography, Geology and Genius’ by Martha Capwell Fox
By ED PANY I have completed reading the book “Geography, Geology and Genius” written by Martha Capwell Fox, a good friend. Martha is a passionate historian who has authored a number of books pertaining to our local history. I have
used some of her research for my “so called” columns. One of my other favorites is “Catasauqua and North Catasauqua” which Fox wrote in 2002. Martha serves as Historian and Continued on page 2