A long-discussed property along Lehigh Gap Street will be cleaned up after Walnutport Borough Council approved spending $42,000 to remove a barn and vehicles at the site.

Council voted unanimously following an executive session Thursday night to authorize the cleanup and demolition work at 645 Lehigh Gap St.

The project includes the removal of a barn and vehicles located on the property.

The action was one of several matters addressed during the meeting.

Police

Council also discussed establishing a police cadet program by sponsoring a full-time candidate through the police academy. Police Chief Jason Nothstein said tuition for the academy is approximately $6,000.

“If we were to offer to pay the person’s salary while in the academy it would be about $25,000,” Nothstein said.

Mayor Wayne Weidner suggested requiring any sponsored cadet to remain with the department after graduation.

“Can we put a stipulation on a Cadet that they must stay with us like 2 years after graduation,” Weidner asked.

Council members supported the idea and agreed to place the matter on next month’s agenda for further consideration.

The board also accepted the resignation of a part-time police officer.

“He moved on to a department that offers more money,” Nothstein said.

In other police-related business, council approved an $800 training request for Nothstein to attend a DUI training program.

Traffic lights

Council also approved payment of $3,500 to Signal Service to repair two traffic lights along Route 145.

“The lights at Route 145 and Maple, and Route 145 and Spruce were always the responsibility of Kmart,” Council President Mike Gaston said.

Nothstein noted borough employees could not complete the repairs.

“I checked with public works and they cannot replace the shields over the lights or replace the new one that has a LED,” he said.

Solicitor Michael Corriere reported the borough received no bids after a second advertisement for work on Oak Street.

“We did not get any bids for the second advertising of Oak Street. It will be open to anyone,” Corriere said.

Council approved a request from the Northern Lehigh PTO to use the pavilion at 215 Lincoln Ave. on Sept. 12, waiving the usual $50 fee.

Tax concerns

Councilwoman Patrice Hunsicker raised concerns about the recent Northern Lehigh School District tax increase and the impact on residents.

“I had many of my neighbors on fixed incomes that just did not understand about our tax hike,” Hunsicker said.

Councilman David Stankovic then made a motion directing the borough to send a letter to the Northern Lehigh School Board regarding the tax bills. The motion passed unanimously, and Corriere will prepare the correspondence.

Agenda

Councilwoman Nancy Treskot requested that agenda materials be submitted earlier to help council members prepare for meetings.

“I requested that we try to get all of the information and agenda items to Annette by Friday before the meeting, so we can have it for Monday to prepare for Thursday meetings,” Treskot said.

Council also voted to readvertise Ordinance 2026-01, a two-part ordinance addressing the borough playground and the Walnutport Canal.

Secretary-Treasurer Annette Lacko reported difficulties securing enough advertising for the borough newsletter.

“We are having trouble getting advertising for our next newsletter. We may lose the company that makes them,” Lacko said.

Treskot said she would look into production costs and gather additional information.