Slatington Borough Council heard complaints last week about snow removal.

During public comment, resident Pat Rabenold, who lives at 105 Main St., asked: “Why was Main Street and Railroad Street not cleared of the big pile of snow at the corner? When turning either right or left onto Main from Railroad, it is not safe. There is not much room to turn and you can’t see over the pile of snow.”

She also asked who was citing residents who don’t shovel.

Borough Manager Roy Hambrecht said, “Letters were sent out to those residents.”

Rabenold asked, “Is there a fine?” Hambrecht replied, “Not for the first time.”

Resident Frank Hoffman also addressed council.

“There needs to be a no right turn at Center and First streets. Trucks like UPS are driving on the sidewalks,” he said. (It’s) very unsafe.”

He said there was a pole fire on Center Street awhile back.

“PPL had to take down the pole and never put up a new pole, which means it’s too dark in that area without that light from the pole,” Hoffman said.

He also mentioned that the recent deep snow should be plowed with big trucks.

Projects

The Community Block Grant 2026 project for South Street, Fourth Street and East Washington Street has been laid out.

Regarding the 100 Steps project, council reported that the final item from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is under review, as the agency evaluates traffic safety before work begins.

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 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.

Council approved requests from the families of Robert Moyer and John Cooper to place a memorial along the D&L Trail at mile marker 93.

The memorial will be a “Telephone of the Wind,” an unconnected, nonfunctional phone placed in a quiet public area, allowing people to “speak” to deceased loved ones and find closure.

Other business

Council also approved:

• A $5,500 annual contribution to the Slatington Public Library, a 5% increase.

• Payments to Bracalente Construction Co. Inc. of $88,890.70 for paving Willow Street and $158,908.60 for paving Cherry Street.

• An increase in the quarterly garbage rate from $90 to $110 per dwelling unit.

• Advertising for a fourth member of the highway crew. The position requires a Class A commercial driver’s license and general automotive skills.

• A partnership with Venue22, 661 Main St., Slatington, for community programming through grant opportunities under a memorandum of understanding. Venue22 is a fully ADA-compliant, 2,700-square-foot event space with parking, WiFi, a projector and sound system, accommodating up to 100 people. Programming would come at no cost to the borough.

• The appointment of William Smith to the Slatington Sewer Authority for a five-year term and reappointed Crystal Fink to the Sewer Authority.

• The 2026 budget, with no changes.

• Announced water testing results showed the borough’s water is safe for human consumption.