Public comments took up the better half of Monday's Slatington Borough Council meeting, which had been rescheduled from its regular meeting date of Aug. 11.

At least half a dozen public commenters spoke, with two relaying water usage and bill issues, two expressing concern over council's actions, or perceived lack thereof, and two with other news, including commending the borough on its successful 150th celebration events last week.First up, resident Charles Fehr Sr. asked council to consider moving the due date of his water bill until later in the month because his Social Security checks no longer arrive on the first of the month and "the penalty is pretty high" for paying late.Later, Terry Bossard, who owns rental units within the borough, asked for leniency concerning a high water bill caused by what he says was faulty borough equipment.In addition, former council member Kris Burek questioned council on a variety of topics, including a lack of council and authority minutes online, grease trap letters, no leaf pickup schedule and more.Resident Mel Gildner asked council about the board of health and why some rental units only pay one base rate for water and sewer.Later, after Vice President Gwyneth Neff introduced newly hired Borough Manager Kevin Deppe, who started July 21, he said he had spoken with Burek and is "looking into all the different things that keep coming up at the meetings."Other public commenters included Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce representatives Nancy Treskot and Jason Breidinger, who presented council with a foundation grant for $1,250 from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.Breidinger said the grant was for additional angle parking along Railroad Street at the borough's downtown trailhead and that the only requirement is that the work be done by year's end.Later, a motion was also approved to allow Curt's Cyclery of Nazareth to install a free bike station at the trailhead, including tools to fix one's bike.Next up during public comment was Matt Szuchyt, local government liaison for Sen. Pat Browne, who was there to introduce himself and to discuss an upcoming grant workshop. He said he and Browne had attended the recent 150th celebrations and congratulated the borough for its great turnout.At various times during the meeting, others also congratulated the borough in regard to its weeklong 150th events, including Mayor Walter Niedermeyer, who did so for himself and Police Chief David Rachman, in absentia, noting that everyone seemed to have had a great time.