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DECEMBER 9-15, 2021
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Judith Nazareth borough Council approves 2022 Haldeman Nominated to Budget, pool rates Northampton
Lehigh Elementary celebrates Christmas with tree lighting
Borough Council By KERI LINDENMUTH
gerbread? Sunday, Dec. 12 all this and more will be possible at the 12th Annual “Christmas on Chestnut” in historic Bath from noon to 6 p.m. All shops and activities are in
Judith Haldeman, a lifelong resident of Northampton’s First Ward, was nominated by Northampton Borough Council to fill the empty seat of late Councilman Keith Piescienski. Haldeman was among three interested candidates who spoke before council and the public on December 2. Haldeman worked for Northampton County for nearly 40 years in several HR roles. She retired this year. Now, she says, “I am looking to reinvent myself in some ways.” She is also a recently appointed member of the borough’s water authority. “We live in a town that is a great place to live,” she said. She wants to show off all that makes the borough special, from its small businesses to its trails, and ensure the borough is kept safe. Haldeman was nominated in a 5-3 vote. The other two council applicants included Barry Frantz and Sandra Pudliner. Frantz has lived in Northampton for 21 years and currently works as an area transportation manager for True Value Hardware. He is a safety officer in the Northampton Fire Department, having previously served as a first-responder in East Allen Township. Pudliner is also a resident who was born and raised in the borough. She previously worked as a zoning officer in Hanover Township. She talked of bringing some of the township’s successful policies to Northampton. All three candidates, said Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski, Sr., were “worthy of a seat.” “It is unfortunate at this time that we only had one,” he added. Mayor Thomas Reenock was absent from the December 2 meeting and unable to swear in Haldeman. She will be sworn into her seat before the next
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Jim Byrnes and Mayor Colondo. By CHRISTINA SANTO At their Dec. 6 meeting, the Nazareth Borough Council gave final approval to the 2022 budget and pool rates. The borough’s 2022 budget contains no tax increase; the real estate tax rate will again
be 16 mills with the real estate tax assessment totalling nearly $125,700,000. Daily pool rates for the 2022 season were also set at the meeting. The rate for adults will be $10 Continued on page 10
Christmas on Chestnut Returns for 12th year
Submitted by CAROL BEAR-HECKMAN Christmas is a magical time of year; have you ever tasted a warm, nutty, roasted chestnut? Have you strolled along 18th century buildings among the scents of cinnamon, evergreens, and gin-
Submitted by LAURA NEDEROSTEK Lehigh Elementary School celebrated a tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 3. This was a wonderful evening event for the entire school community. Students were treated to free
hot cocoa, cookies, and freshly popped popcorn. The Lehigh Chorus also performed carols for all attending, and the 5th Grade Student Council set up outdoor holiday decorations for all to enjoy. There was even a surprise visit from Santa.
County Council passes McClure's Property Tax Cut Submitted by BECKY BARTLETT Northampton County Council passed Lamont McClure’s proposed 8.5% tax cut at its December 2 meeting. This is the first time the County has cut real estate property taxes since the 2000 budget which included a drop of 0.1 in the millage rate. “I want to thank Council for their vote tonight,” says Lamont McClure. “Northampton County is in the top ten of counties with the highest property tax burden in the Commonwealth and our resi-
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dents are very concerned about inflation. This tax cut will provide our property owners with $8 million of tax relief.” The vote to approve the cut of 1 mil in the 2022 Real Estate Tax passed by a vote of 8 to 1.
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