The Slatington Borough Council voted last week to reopen the budget.

The board went into executive session and then came out and voted to reopen the budget, passed in December with a 1-mill increase.

Council president Ryan Mayberry said the borough has to reallocate funds because the grant for Roosevelt Park did not come through.

The borough planned a renovation to the park which included a new playground, basketball court and paving.

The project was estimated at about $600,000 for the park next to the borough hall.

Council reported Acela Architects + Engineers, PC of Allentown completed the survey for the community block grant project for resurfacing East Washington and West South Street.

Acela received four comments from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation about the 100 steps project.

The 100 steps run from Hill Street to Fairview Avenue, and are thought to be about 100 years old. The concrete steps are chipped and cracked, and the borough has been working on a solution to repair them for a long time.

The 100 steps project began as a way to mitigate water drainage problems on Hill Street that is affecting residents there.

The project eventually included repairing the steps as well.

Borough manager Roy Hambrecht said previously the project is slated to begin in spring or summer.

The comments from PennDOT included notes on water drainage, gabion basket (mesh) raised to level with existing pavement, existing cable utility line is high enough above existing wall, and cables are too close to the top of the light pole. Manager Roy Hambrecht said,

“All of these items have been taken care of and documentation has been sent to PennDOT.”

Approvals

• Council President Ryan Mayberry appointed Councilor Williams Schippers to the Police Pension Fund.

• Joyce Thompson was approved for a three-year term on the Slatington Public Library Board of Trustees.

• The Moyer-Cooper Families request to place a memorial along the D & L Trail was given.

• St. Luke’s Hospice Bike Ride was approved for May 30 upon receiving insurance information.

Police

Police Chief William Borst reported, “We had 3,987 calls for 2025. I want to thank the Council for hiring two more officers. I appreciate all the support from the Council. All of our officers have body cameras and Tasers, we are grateful to not have to share our equipment. I have a meeting next week with Lehigh County Radio about the timeline of switching to digital for our radios.”