Slatington Mayor Jeralyn Schoch warned community members about recent burglaries in the borough.

“Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure, when you go outside, lock your houses, lock your cars, and watch out for your elderly neighbors because bad things are happening to good people,” Schoch said at a recent borough council meeting.

Schoch also reported that Slatington police responded to 298 calls in January.

“The calls are going up tremendously,” Schoch said.

There were seven criminal arrests, 29 traffic citations, and 39 parking tickets.

Council action

• Council voted to award a bid for a new generator for the maintenance building to The Wire Guys, Hazle Township, not to exceed $11,480.

• Council voted to award BEI Electrical with a job to repair the flashing lights on Route 873 just before Rentschler car dealership. The job will cost $2,600.

• Council member Jeffrey Hausman said that they had a choice of letting Lehigh County provide new lights for the South Walnut Street Bridge or buy and install the lights themselves. If Slatington installed its own lights, the borough would also be responsible for maintenance and repair, plus pay for electricity to operate the lights. Council voted to let the county take care of the lights, which will cost the borough nothing.

• Council voted to award the Franklin Street CDBG project to L B Construction in the amount of $101,668, contingent upon the details being approved by Lehigh Engineering Associates, Solicitor Lisa Young, and Lehigh County.

• Council voted to accept bids for the Slate Heritage Trail renovation project, funded by a Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant, to Bruce George Paving & Excavating for the general repairs in the amount of $131,506.84. Two additional options of Stone Milling for a cost of $18,575.44 and seal coating for $13,000, which would have made the entire bid $180,082.28. Council voted for the $131,506.84 repairs, and declined the two options.

“With regard to budgeting,” borough Manager Daniel Stevens said, “The $131,506.84 is pretty close to the budget. With our matching grant, the budget amount was around $126,000. Regarding the seal coating, we can do that any time. The stone and milling work, we could do ourselves.”

• Council voted to reject the lone bid for the Victory Park bathroom project. That bid came in at $226,176. Council voted to rebid the project.

• Council passed a motion to approve the 3rd Annual Kids Fishing Contest on April 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Council voted to fill the vacant position on the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority following the pending resignation of council member Ronald Kratz’ pending resignation from the authority. Council member Zachari Halkias was chosen to take over the remainder of his term.

• Council passed a motion to approve community yard sales for May 19, May 20, May 21; and Sept. 15, Sept. 16, and Sept. 17.

• Council member Joseph Wechsler announced the next electronics recycling day will be from 9-11 a.m. April 1 from at the borough garage.

• Council member Bryon Reed announced that the Slatington water was tested and found safe for human consumption.