An expert in finances told Summit Hill Borough Council that tens of thousands of dollars might be saved by refinancing outstanding bonds.

Garrett Moore, senior analyst with PFM Financial Advisors LLC, Harrisburg, said refinancing a $1.5 million bond issue could net $75,744 in upfront savings.

He said if the borough would refinance $1,515,000 with a bank loan instead of a bond, there could be an estimated savings of $52,010.

The outstanding bond exists from the construction of the borough municipal building, firehouse and Hilltop Recreation Center.

The council authorized Moore to proceed with getting more information from specific sources regarding bond refinancing.

In other business

• Kevin Steber, the borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator, said the borough has been doing well in coping with the COVID-19 virus.

He said there was a borough employee and two police officers who had potential exposure, but testing showed all were negative.

“In the Panther Valley area, there was an uptick in cases,” he said. “But it seems to have corrected itself.”

He said people entering the borough hall are encouraged to wear face coverings, “but we can’t force anyone to wear a mask; it’s a recommendation.”

It was clarified that masks can be required in some businesses, but not in the borough hall.

Because the pandemic is still looming, he said the borough’s emergency declaration will be extended into 2021.

• Borough resident David Hiles complained that leftover materials from a road project were used on Linden Street.

He asked the council, “Who authorized that paving?”

Borough council member Michael Alabovitz said the borough work crew can use its discretion where to use leftover materials.

He said, “Our work leader is empowered by the council to make that decision.”

Hiles argued there were other places in the borough the materials could have been used. Council members said the work area was in the vicinity of Linden Street.

After Hiles pressed the council to forbid the work crew from making such a decision in the future, Council President Michael Kokinda said to the work force, “Guys, don’t do it again.”

• Council member David Wargo suggested the council look at updating its parking ordinance. He presented a sample parking ordinance from Bangor Borough and said it is thorough in the regulations the borough would like to see, including barring commercial, recreational and construction vehicles from parking on the street.

The Bangor ordinance allows construction vehicles to be parked on streets only when general construction is occurring and other vehicles to be parked for up to eight hours for loading or unloading.

The existing ordinance was adopted in 1971, although there have been some updates.

• The council agreed to start replacing computers and add a server for security cameras in the police department. The work will be done by Computer Pals of Allentown at a cost of $3,441, with 50 percent of the cost to be paid when the project is approved and the balance upon completion. The existing computers are 10 to 12 years old, said Kira Steber, secretary-treasurer.

It was pointed out the upgrades are needed to be compatible with security cameras within the borough.

• The council unanimously approved a Real Estate Tax Relief resolution.

• The council gave permission to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church to have a “Summer Drive In” festival on July 17 and 19. Correspondence to the borough said people will drive their car into the parking lot and a member of the church will bring a form to them with the list of foods available. The worker will then get the food and return to the car with it.

There will be no fireworks at this year’s event.

• The borough’s Recreation Commission was informed Jodi McAndrew will resign as president of the group at the end of this year.