Palmerton borough 8.22

School is officially in session for Palmerton area students.

With that in mind, Palmerton Council wants to remind those driving in the borough to be alert when behind the wheel for kids walking to and from school.

“We just want to make sure that we keep those children safe, and take that extra time - even if we’re in a hurry - to adhere to the speed limits, stop for buses (and) keep an extra lookout for children who might not be paying attention as they’re crossing the roads,” Councilmember Holly Sell said.

In other business: 

Council approved the police pension fund 2020 minimum municipal obligation for the amount of $162,251, as well as the non-uniformed pension fund 2020 minimum municipal obligation for the amount of $69,840.

A grant application submitted by the Palmerton Council last year on behalf of the borough fire company was denied. The grant would have funded a program called the Palmerton Fire Department Carcinogen Awareness and Reduction to Exposure Initiative, and would have worked to decrease the amount of carcinogens local firefighters are exposed to. Council gave Fire Chief Jason Behler approval to update the proposal with the intent to reapply for the grant.  

Council approved a resolution stating their opposition to gerrymandering and their support for legislative efforts that minimize the practice. Gerrymandering is the redrawing of legislative districts to show favor toward one political party.

Palmerton Community Fest

It’s beginning to look a lot like the Palmerton Community Festival. 

At least, that was the case Saturday, as dozens of volunteers spent their morning in the borough park, setting up booths, cleaning up the park and closing off the creek with a safety fence. The festival is still two weeks away, but with more than 30 local nonprofits participating, there’s no shortage of work to be done.

“The festival is a great way for our community to come together and show support for each other,” Jodi Smale, co-chair of the event, said Saturday. “It gives people that opportunity to reconnect.”

This year marks the festival’s 30th anniversary. It will begin Friday, Sept. 6 and go through the weekend. Parking and admission are free. There will be rides, games, food vendors and raffles. 

And don’t forget about the free, live entertainment. Take a look at the 2019 performance lineup:

Friday, Sept. 6

Large Flower Heads, main stage, 5 to 8 p.m.

Georgette Jones, main stage, 9 to 10:30 p.m. 

Saturday, Sept. 7

CACPAC worship service, bandstand, 10 to 11 a.m. 

Palmerton Community Band, bandstand, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tricia’s Dance Extreme, main stage, 1 to 2 p.m. 

Sunshine Symphony, main stage, 3 to 5 p.m. 

The Rehrig Brothers, main stage, 6 to 8 p.m.

Karen as Dolly, main stage, 9 to 10:30 p.m. 

Sunday, Sept. 8

Jean & American Dream, bandstand, 12 to 1:30 p.m.

The Belletones, main stage, 2 to 3 p.m.

The Main Street Cruisers, main stage, 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

Bruce in the U.S.A., main stage, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Captions:

Members from the Palmerton Boy Scout Troop 20 set up their booth in the park for this year’s community festival. DANIELLE DERRICKSON/TIMES NEWS

An orange safety fence was erected around the park’s creek Saturday. DANIELLE DERRICKSON/TIMES NEWS