Topics from a new auto parts store to feral cats to missing roadside signs, were covered at Walnutport's Borough Council meeting Thursday night.

Project Engineer Darrin Heckman, of Lehigh Engineering Associates, showed council plans for an Advance Auto Parts store at the site of the former Classic Car Wash on Route 145, also known as Best Avenue, in Walnutport, located between Blue Ridge Auto Service and Tire and the Lehigh Plaza 1 strip mall.Heckman, speaking on behalf of the equitable owner and developer of the future store, said the car wash area will be completely cleared.He added, "I think we have a plan … that's acceptable to not only the borough engineer but also to (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation)."After granting two waivers and a deferment, council gave its conditional final plan approval.Heckman said the auto parts store is expected to open for business in February of next year.During public comment, longtime resident Ralph Kern said he is having trouble with stray cats at his property because a neighbor is feeding them.Kern said the cats are ruining his front porch and lawn furniture and messing in his yard.Police Chief Pete Wayda said Kern is allowed to trap them if they come on his property and take them elsewhere."You can't kill them, though," said Mayor Wayne Weidner.President Matthew Newhard agreed the cats should not be harmed.He also said council is aware of the local problem, has been looking into it for several months and is attempting to figure out a way to humanely catch and neuter/spay them plus develop an ordinance that prohibits feeding stray and feral cats.In other news, Weidner announced that PennDOT recently removed signs from at least two places along Route 145 in and around the borough, including at the light at Main Street and also at the lights by the Lehigh Gap."And they do not want signs put back up there," Weidner said.He said he was told that any group that would like its sign back may pick it at the PennDOT building along Blue Mountain Drive in Danielsville, located on the right-hand side just before the Blue Mountain Drive In & Family Restaurant.Weidner said he was told, "In the future, if you want to put a sign up, you have to call down to Easton, and they will let you know the (guidelines) … and they might charge you a fee for a permit."In addition, council approved the hiring of part-time police officer Stephen Zuromski, who had worked in the borough before in 2006-07.The council also said it will soon advertise for a part-time borough secretary position.Council also awarded two street project bids received May 30. One contract was for new mill and overlay for multiple streets for $154,856.50 to Bracalente Construction, of Northampton, and the other for seal coat (oil and chip) work for $50,767.45 to Livengood Excavators of Walnutport.