A packed and often tense Slatington Borough Council meeting focused on the future of the Slatington D&L Trailhead after the borough directed both The Venture Group and Diggity Dogs & More to vacate the property.

Borough officials recently notified The Venture Group, which has played a major role in developing and maintaining the trailhead, that it must leave by Nov. 1,

Diggity Dogs & More owner Keith Schaffer was also told to vacate the site by Nov. 1.

While the trailhead issue was not on the meeting agenda, numerous residents attended to voice concerns about the decision and the borough’s handling of the matter.

The controversy stems in part from the borough’s approval in August of a plan allowing Crystal Bilby, owner of CJ’s Cup of Joe, to operate a coffee wagon at the trailhead. Since opening, Bilby said she has faced ongoing harassment from some residents over her presence at the site.

“I lived there for 41 years and got to watch the trailhead become what it is now,” resident Pat Rabenold said. “There were so many volunteers that helped make the trailhead what it is. The Venture Group always raised money. I have supported the Venture Group since 2012.”

Nancy Trescot of The Venture Group said the organization had attempted to provide documentation of its relationship with the borough but was told it had failed to honor an agreement.

“Unfortunately, what has occurred is a lot of bad blood,” Trescot said at the meeting. “I didn’t appreciate being told we didn’t honor our agreement. I was told this was all my fault. My shoulders are big. I will take the hit.”

Several speakers questioned why a volunteer organization that helped establish the trailhead was being asked to leave.

“What kind of respect is that for a volunteer group that gave all their time and money?” resident Daniel Freed asked council.

The audience at times became contentious, prompting council President Ryan Mayberry to repeatedly call for order.

Councilman William Schippers said he had witnessed harassment directed at Bilby and had experienced hostility himself while patronizing her business.

Borough Manager Roy Hambrecht said the borough’s decision was based on several factors, including the lack of a formal signed agreement with The Venture Group and concerns surrounding opposition to allowing additional vendors at the trailhead.

“We did not have a signed legal agreement with The Venture Group,” Hambrecht said. “We’re all about fairness and competition. People want to move in down there and do business, and they’re entitled to do that.”

Hambrecht also said the borough issued a cease-and-desist order to Diggity Dogs & More after receiving reports of alleged behavior toward other vendors.

“We weren’t going to tolerate any kind of inappropriate behavior toward other vendors,” he said.

Bilby chose not to address council during the meeting but later said she has been subjected to repeated harassment while operating at the trailhead.

“All I ever wanted to do was be at the trailhead, and I went about it the right way,” she said. “I just wanted to give Slatington a good cup of coffee in a space the borough said I could be.”

Council has asked Bilby not to return to the trailhead until Schaffer vacates the property.

Following an executive session, Mayberry announced council approved a resolution to enter into an agreement to continue ATM service at the trailhead and discussed advertising for new vendors at the site.