They share a common devotion to the municipalities in which they help oversee.

Representatives from eight municipalities gathered this week at Neff's Hotel & Other Side Restaurant, Neff's, for a joint luncheon of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce and Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce.A panel of officials from Palmerton, Slatington, Walnutport, and Coplay boroughs, along with Lehigh, Heidelberg, Lynn, Whitehall and North Whitehall townships, gave updates on various municipal projects within their respective communities.Kevin Schmidt, president of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, introduced Peter Kern, president of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce."I'm pleased to be here," Kern said. "It's a great turnout; one of the best I can recall."The speakersAmong the speakers were Tammy M. White, secretary/treasurer of Lynn Township; Janice Meyers, secretary of Heidelberg Township; Alice Rehrig, township manager, Lehigh Township; Jeff Bartlett, township manager, N. Whitehall Township, Ed Hosak, mayor, Whitehall Township; Rodger Danielson, borough manager, Palmerton Borough; Walter Neidermeyer, mayor, Slatington Borough; Joseph Bundra, mayor, Coplay Borough; and William Turk, councilman, Walnutport Borough. Roy Dengler, supervisor, Washington Township, was not in attendance.PalmertonDanielson said the borough's wastewater treatment plant, waterline replacement/overlay project along portions of Lehigh Avenue, and newly-minted Palmerton Municipal Fire Company, have all been completed.An open house will be held at the Palmerton Municipal Fire Company on June 21, Danielson said.Also of note, Danielson said, is the property at 555 Delaware Ave., located at the former Bennett Palmerton dealership, which houses a Dunkin' Donuts shop; has housed a Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit facility since 2010; and serves as a medical office for Blue Mountain Health System's new family practice physician, Dr. Syed Zia.In addition, Danielson said Pencor Services Inc. recently constructed a new, three-story office professional complex."We're thrilled to have that in downtown Palmerton," Danielson said. "We're proud of Delaware Avenue in Palmerton."It was then noted by Kern that members of the community raised money for holiday lights in the borough's downtown.SlatingtonIn Slatington, the search is on for a borough manager, Neidermeyer said. The position has been vacant since 2010.Neidermeyer said Slatington's 150th Anniversary Parade will be held on Aug. 16.WalnutportTurk said Walnutport is a "very, very aggressive area" when it comes to applying for, and securing, grants."Grants are keeping Walnutport well ahead," Turk said. "The most important thing is to get money to save the taxpayers money."A veteran councilman, and former president of borough council, Turk alluded to various grants the borough has received over the years, which he said helped it make many improvements."I'd like to commend the people I've had around me," he said. "We're not completely finished, but we're getting close."Upcoming chamber events• Schmidt announced that the GNLCC will host its 34th Annual Heritage Day Celebration at 10 a.m. July 4, at Slatington Baptist Church, 509 Main Street, at the corner of Main and 2nd, Slatington.• Schmidt also announced that the GNLCC will hold its GNLCC Picnic & Chamber Business Day, in association with the Slatington 150th Anniversary, from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 12, at the Slatington Trailhead, Walnut Street, Slatington.• Kern announced that the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its next meeting at noon on Aug. 12, at Bert's Steakhouse & Restaurant.