The purchase of a new generator was one of the topics covered at last night's Slatington Borough committees meeting on Finance/Planning/Zoning, Public Safety, and Human/Community Serives.

Slatington Fire Chief Keith Weaver said that the 13k generator he had used for the town's recent Bike Night had performed wonderfully, being both powerful yet quiet. He said he might be able to obtain that type of generator for approximately $3,000.It could not only be used for other borough needs but also to power borough hall if necessary, Weaver said. "You've got to remember, if there's a disaster, this [borough hall] is the place to be…so you all recognize an EOP [Emergency Operations Plan]," he said. "So for a grant, you utilize that…this is the information facility…and that should help the municipality with a grant." The committee agreed to put the purchase on the council's agenda.Prior to this, Public Safety Chairman Jon Rinker had mentioned that the borough is currently looking to hire a police officer. In addition, he said that the Northern Lehigh School District has expressed some concern regarding security at athletic events. "They're possibly thinking of getting some of our police force up therewhich would be reimbursed by the schoolat football games for right now and possibly other events, so it's something that needs to go on the agenda." Stevens noted that, if approved, it would not occur until at least next year.The last topic discussed pertained to the Slatington Sesquicentennial Committeean official committee of the borough formed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the town's incorporation in 1864. It was mentioned that perhaps it would have sweatshirts and other types of souvenirs available for sale at The Gathering, an annual community festival held Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the Trout Run Covered Bridge, Seventh Street in Slatington.Rinker also said that the committee has been looking for a storefront from which to sell more sesquicentennial items; however, none has yet been found. He did say, however, that sesquicentennial merchandise is currently available at Galio's Market, Hallmans Service Station, Bechtel's Pharmacy and possibly, in the future, at a table in the public library.Rinker also noted that meetings of the Sesquicentennial Committee are held the first and third Monday of each month in the meeting room at the Vigilant Fire Company and that the public is welcome to attend. "If anyone's interested in coming over and helping out, all help is appreciated," he said. "People are working on a history book; you want to jump in and do that, you want to jump in and do events, whatever. He mentioned that the next meeting will take place October 7 at 7 p.m. and that the committee is still looking for clubs to become charters.Slatington's sesquicentennial celebrations kicked off last month with a pig roast fundraiser, will continue throughout 2014, and will culminate next year with a weeklong celebration in August. Stevens noted that all funds for the celebrations come from donations and fundraising; no general borough funds will be used.