After two public commenters and a 40-minute opening executive session dealing with personnel matters, the Walnutport Borough Council met until after 9:30 p.m. at its workshop meeting Thursday.

Streets Committee Chairman William Turk expressed disapproval of the state of a property along Oak Street, near Lincoln Avenue, called Donald Gogel's Garage.He said that the borough has taken issue for years with the number of items the owner has on his property, he now believes there are even more."(It's) the worst I've ever seen it … and we've let this go for years," he said, specifically mentioning a big trailer he said was recently added, plus vehicles and other items at the rear of the building."There is a court order against him," said Newhard, "so we're going to have to make sure that he abides by it."During the public comment portion of the meeting, Walnutport Authority Chairman Ron Kuntz announced that the authority will be having its dedication of the Heimbach Filtration Plant, just north of Kmart on Alder Drive, at 11 a.m. Thursday.Walnutport Canal Association Vice President/Historian Marilyn Kaul said she wanted to let council members know that participants of the 2014 Lehigh River Sojourn are expected to arrive at the WCA pavilion via the river on June 22. Dinner will be served to them courtesy of the association, and they will spend the night.She added that a Powerpoint presentation about the history of the canal and the work done there by her late husband, former longtime WCA President Everett "Buddy" Kaul, will be at 7 p.m. and invited council members to attend.Later, Police Chief Pete Wayda asked that one of his officers be bumped up to full-time rate of pay after a six-month probation period. He also asked that two part-time officers who completed their first year with the department begin receiving full salary as part-timers. Council approved both requests.Turk asked about a recent pre-construction meeting regarding the Oak Street project.Assistant Road Foreman Michael Wentz said work may begin as early as Tuesday and that "no parking" signs need to be posted on Oak Street.Turk said something needs to be done in regard to residents "throwing grass out on the street" while cutting their lawns. He and Wentz seemed concerned it could clog the catch basins.President Matthew Newhard said a state ordinance exists that prohibits such action for precisely that reason and suggested a letter be sent to residents who are seen doing so.