Former Slatington Borough Council Board President Gwyneth Jones gave her official resignation to the board Monday night.

In a one-line letter read by Councilman Michael Brogan, Jones stated, "I will not be a part of unethical things being done by council, except Bryon Reed."Newest councilman Mel Gildner commented after the letter was read about the dangers of accusing council of being unethical."I believe you tried to prove it," Councilman Reed said."Many times. Like back when visitors weren't allowed to talk at the workshop meetings and Bill White said it was 'unethical,' " Reed said."And it was. I stand by that," Gildner said."The present president (David Schnaars) is the one who pushed that, and I can prove it," Reed said.Jones' board seat is vacant and anyone wishing to fill the position should submit a letter of interest to the board.According to Borough Manager Judith Danko, visitors to the municipal building have been causing a distraction for the auditors, causing delays in the completion of the 2015-16 records review.Councilman Joe Wechsler told the board he had noticed people "barging" into the manager's office without an appointment. The board voted to create a new to policy for residents and visitors requiring them to make an appointment with the manager before coming to the office."You've got an awful lot to do here and we keep throwing more on you," he told Danko."It's appalling the way the books were kept over the years."Councilman John Rinker agreed, saying, "We don't want any more idle chit-chat in the office or unauthorized visitors barging in.""The only people authorized by the office with an appointment should be there," Schnaars said.David Hay was hired as the new borough health officer during the meeting and will work to make sure restaurants and food facilities within the borough are up to health codes.Borough fire Chief Jason Nicholas read a letter thanking the board and residents for their support during the transition of power between the former and current chief."We've been working really close with the neighboring departments. It's all of 'our' department," he said.He updated the board on acquiring newautomated external defibrillators, a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation in a patient and is able to treat it through the application of electrical therapy, allowing the heart to re-establish a more stable rhythm.The chief said the Slatington Police and Fire departments, along with the Diamond Fire Department and Walnutport Police, all need replacements for the soon-to-be outdated machines."Between the two boroughs we will need to purchase 10. The bill would be split in half," he said."I only have a verbal agreement on price so far so I'll bring it up at the next committee meeting," he said.Main Street Merchants' Jason Ruff spoke to the board about the success of its February First Friday, stating the library's paranormal search activity sold out and the group was able to raise $500 for the nonprofit.The next First Friday is set for 4 to 8 p.m. April 7 on Main Street, where businesses will extend their normal hours. Blue Mountain Farmers Market will partner with Charlotte Fay's Main Street Diner to offer farm-to-table fare for the evening, along with live music at the retro eatery.A sidewalk chalk contest will also be held during the event.The group thanked the police force for its foot patrol and extended an invitation for the department to get involved in the April evening."Possible involvement could range from an officer visiting with younger participants in the library or dance studio, or perhaps a bike maintenance and registration event hosted by the department for the younger bicycle riders. The involvement will be a great step in building a warm and friendly bond between residents and the department," he said.