Palmerton has given the green light to several projects for its borough park.

Joe and Marj Federanich, co-chairs of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce, presented a list of projects to council under the general direction of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Joe Federanich said they would like to repair and polish the bandstand floor. The repair order has already been submitted to R & S Flooring, Walnutport, and will be paid by the bandstand committee funds.

Federanich said they would also like to install a new lamppost in the northeast quadrant of the park near the Fourth and Lafayette intersection. The lamppost is intended to match others in the park. Installation will be completed by Frable Electric, and paid for jointly by the Palmerton Lighting Committee and the Palmerton Community Festival Committee.

Workers

Federanich said the Palmerton Lighting Committee was requesting the hiring of one full-time and two part-time borough employees.

He asked for two men to be hired on a part-time basis to rake leaves during leaf collection period, and one full-time borough employee who would be able to use the bucket van owned by the borough. These men would be assigned to decorate the bandstand and a tree located near Third and Franklin Avenue.

They would also install lights on the tree in the welcome park at the Palmerton welcome sign, and feel those could all be accomplished within one working day. Their expense would be paid for by the Palmerton Lighting Committee funds.

This motion died due to a lack of a second. Councilman Kris Hoffner explained council had concerns about workers’ compensation.

Picnic table

Federanich then asked for the installation of at least two, possibly more, permanent outdoor picnic type table with seating attached, solar panels and telephone charging outlets. They would be located away from the bandstand in an attempt to have the users occupy these spaces rather than the bandstand. A suggested location was made for the area of the southwestern quadrant of the park near Delaware Avenue where similar units were located. The cost of these units is still under discussion by various organizations.

Council on a 5-2 vote, with Councilman Richard Nothstein and council President Terry Costenbader opposed, approved adding one table with charging stations at an area yet to be determined.

Costenbader noted there were tables in the park a long time ago.

“Quite honestly, I’m not in favor of putting tables in there,” Costenbader said. “I just think that’s asking for trouble.”

However, Councilman Andrew Hollywood said, “It would be nice to see those things at the other parks as well.”

Federanich said, “We’re just trying to get (the kids) out them out of the bandstand.”

Federanich said they would like to purchase new trash containers, with the amount and location to be determined at a later date, which would be purchased through grants from the Lehigh Valley Chamber Downtown improvement project.

Council unanimously approved this measure.

“We just think it will help improve the appearance,” Federanich said.

Hollywood and Hausman-Sell agreed.

“I love this idea,” Hollywood said.

Afterward, Hoffner praised the Federaniches.

“I’d like to thank you for all you’ve done,” Hoffner said. “You’ve made Palmerton a wonderful place to live.”