Ongoing Vandalism, Project Updates Discussed by Hellertown Council

Monday’s Hellertown Borough Council meeting featured an impassioned appeal from Police Chief James Baitinger regarding a string of vehicle vandalism incidents that have been plaguing the community in recent weeks.

“I need everybody to be a good witness,” Baitinger told council members and residents in attendance. “If you see something, please say something.”

The chief explained that vandals have been smashing vehicle windows and causing property damage throughout the borough, with the activity seemingly concentrated in two main clusters, particularly on the south side of town. Investigators believe the perpetrators are utilizing the Saucon Rail Trail to access different areas.

Baitinger emphasized the importance of community cooperation while cautioning residents against taking matters into their own hands.

“Please do not pursue or detain any suspects,” he said. “Call us. Let us handle any confrontation. I don’t want to see anything bad happen here.”

The chief encouraged residents with security cameras to adjust their settings for better image quality and to share any relevant footage with police. He also recommended parking in well-lit areas and keeping valuables out of sight, though he noted the vandalism appears to be thrill-seeking behavior rather than theft-motivated.

Public Official Accountability Discussion

The meeting opened with a statement from councilman Andrew Hughes, addressing questions he said he has received from residents about potential conflicts of interest among local elected officials.

Hughes provided a detailed explanation of Pennsylvania’s Statement of Financial Interests requirements, which mandate that all elected and appointed government officials file annual disclosures reporting sources of income, gifts, real estate interests, business ownership and other financial information.

“These filings are designed to promote transparency and reduce the risk of conflicts of interest,” Hughes explained, noting that the documents are publicly available at Borough Hall and can be requested through the right-to-know process.

He informed residents that failure to properly disclose financial interests can result in prosecution under the Public Officials and Employee Ethics Act, with penalties including fines up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to one year, removal from office and disqualification from holding future public office.

Historic Recognition for Local Landmark

Council member Larry O’Donnell shared exciting news from the Hellertown Historical Society. The Heller-Wagner Gristmill was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.

“That is awesome,” O’Donnell said, crediting HHS volunteers for years of dedicated work to achieve the designation.

Unrelated, O’Donnell also said that interpretive signs along the Saucon Rail Trail highlighting wetland ecology are slated for replacement, with an estimated cost of $1,600 per kiosk. The organization will be seeking local business sponsors to help fund the project.

Chamber of Commerce Event Recap

Council Vice President Lynley Solt provided an update on the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce’s recent Taste of Hellertown event, which was held Sept. 27.

The second annual event drew 65 visitors from across the region, including attendees from Hellertown, Bethlehem and as far away as New Tripoli. Nearly all participants indicated they planned to return to visit participating establishments again, and organizers have already begun planning for next year’s event.

Braveheart Highland Pub took top honors, with Cross Pizza earning runner-up status.

The chamber’s next event is a Small Business and Community Roundtable scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall, featuring Chief Baitinger.

Construction Projects Update

Borough Engineer Bryan Smith provided updates on multiple ongoing construction projects throughout Hellertown.

He said Dimmick Park renovations are now complete, with the contractor finishing all punch-list items. The project included the installation of a new basketball court with regulation-height hoops.

At Gregory Park, Smith said major progress has been made, with installation of fencing now being the focus.

At Reinhard’s Park, the planned baseball field renovation has begun. The water line connection has been completed and crews are working on the ballfield infield, Smith said. Fencing, dugouts, concrete sidewalks, handicap ramps and landscaping will follow this fall and into the spring, with the priority being to have the ballfield ready for spring use.

Several street projects are also underway or planned.

Williams Street is currently under construction as part of the Champion site redevelopment, with crews laying curb before moving on to paving and sidewalk work. The project will then shift to Franklin Street, which will be completely reconstructed and slightly widened. After Franklin, they will move to Kichline Avenue, primarily from Main Street to Franklin on the side along which a new Sheetz is being built.

The Dewey Fire Co. stormwater project held a pre-construction meeting, and officials are working through submittals while awaiting a construction schedule, according to Smith.

A project at 85 Division Street is essentially complete, with curb and sidewalk installed and only minor items remaining.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Mayor David Heintzelman reminded residents that the Hellertown Halloween Parade is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. The borough is still seeking volunteers to help with the lineup, and interested residents should contact Borough Hall with their name, phone number and email address.

Hughes noted the Hellertown Area Library is hosting a “Haunted Library” event on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is recommended for ages 5 and up with an adult, and advance registration is required due to limited space.

O’Donnell said the historical society continues to host community events at the mill, with an upcoming Colonial Tavern Night scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, featuring food and beverages from local Hellertown vendors. The society’s “Talks in the Tavern” series will continue through November and December.

Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft announced that the next council budget meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom only. The next regular council meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Meetings are livestreamed on Zoom and the borough’s Facebook page. Hartranft also announced that applications are now being accepted for the next round of Hometown Hero banners honoring service members and first responders from the borough, with the deadline to apply set for February. Participation in the banner program costs $190 for new banners, with a small fee to maintain existing banners.