Hellertown Approves Police Vehicle Purchases, Continues Sidewalk Discussions

The Hellertown Borough Council met on Monday at Borough Hall, authorizing the purchase of two new police vehicles and discussing sidewalk issues throughout the borough.

Two New Police Vehicles Approved

Council voted unanimously to allow Police Chief James Baitinger to move forward with purchasing two new police vehicles. Baitinger told council the department is down two vehicles and is currently “running 24/7” with only two functional cruisers.

“We have one that hasn’t been in service since October, pending repairs that haven’t been able to be figured out,” Baitinger said. “And then we have recently lost a vehicle as a result of an incident we were assisting another agency on, and the vehicle’s been deemed a total loss.”

“This isn’t a want, this is a need,” Baitinger said. “We’re not going to be able to function, and god forbid something happens … we’re not going to be able to have vehicles for our officers to respond to calls.”

The chief said that even with approval, a new cruiser takes roughly two months to be operational, with the vendor currently awaiting equipment for upfits. The last police vehicle purchased by the borough was a 2023 model.

Borough Sidewalk Discussions Continue

Council granted a sidewalk installation deferral for a property at 1736 Franklin Street after hearing testimony from a family representative.

The representative told council his father moved into the home in 2000, and his mother passed away in October. He said there has never been a sidewalk at the property, and his father is living on a fixed income with the home about to be sold. 

He estimated the cost of installing sidewalks at $10,000 to $20,000. The described conditions included obstacles such as a swale that is not owned by the property owner, and it was noted that nobody had ever mentioned a sidewalk to his family.

“Sometimes, common sense has to come into play … a meaningless sidewalk, crossing a swale. There’s no reason,” councilwoman Gail Nolf said. She made the motion to grant the deferral, citing the physical contours of the land and hardship. Councilman Larry O’Donnell seconded, and the motion to grant the deferral was approved.

A separate deferral request for a property at 114 Constitution Avenue died for lack of a second vote. The property owner had requested a five-year deferral. O’Donnell moved to grant a 24-month deferral with a sale-or-transfer trigger, but no second was offered. 

Borough Solicitor Michael Corriere confirmed this constituted a “pocket veto” and said a letter would be sent to the owner.

Borough resident and sidewalk advocate Chip Wagner addressed council, questioning what he described as an inconsistency in the borough’s sidewalk enforcement and hardship policies. 

Wagner referenced an Oct. 19 fall in the 500 block of Main Street, telling council the sidewalk in that location remained unbarricaded for roughly 100 to 120 days. He asked council to clarify the criteria used to select which properties receive deferments.

Lower Saucon Township Pool Pass Agreement

Council approved the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Township pool pass agreement, which had already been approved by the township. Under the arrangement, Lower Saucon residents are charged the resident rate at the Hellertown Pool, and Lower Saucon reimburses Hellertown for the difference between the non-resident and resident rates at the end of the season.

Corriere explained that the agreement had previously been included in a global settlement agreement with Lower Saucon but will now be a stand-alone arrangement. 

The next Hellertown Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 4 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall.