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The Home News Your Local News
JULY 27-AUGUST 2, 2017
Looking by Back Ed Pany Last in a series - It’s Wonderful to live here
(Originally published in 2002) Mrs. Nancy Groff is a memJohn Defassio, the borough ber of Chapman Quarries secretary, maintains his acBorough Council. Nancy was counting business in the borreared in the Philadelphia area ough. He uses his skills in manbut really enjoys living in the aging the borough’s finances small community. She said, in a frugal manner. They sure “Some people don’t realize how could have used John down at wonderful and beautiful it is Enron. here. This is heaven compared Well, let’s look at the budto Philadelphia.” I certainly get. The 2002 budget is apwouldn’t disagree. proximately $60,000. A major Here what the other Coun- source of income is the Earned cilmen had to say. Dana Acker- Income Tax, the garbage rate is man said, “It’s a friendly place, $160.00 per unit and the propyou can count on one another.” erty tax is .75 mills. Yes, you Frank Silfies called Chapman’s, read it correctly, .75 mills. “a quiet place with few probFor 20 years the millage stood lems.” Curtis Fehnel moved at .50 but because of costs, they over from East Allen Township were forced to increase the rate. and purchased an old com- A typical old company home pany home at a bargain price. would pay a $25.00 annual Wayne Beal remembered the property tax. days when, “as a kid I knew evDana Ackerman recalls, eryone and could walk in any “When I went to the bank for yard.” a loan, the bank did not beSonny Kocher moved in lieve the tax rate so I had to with his father who was in the show them my tax bill.” When roofing business and used an Dana purchased the first home abundance of Chapman slate. in Chapman’s, it needed some Barry Heimer, recalling most work but it cost a fortune, Chapman lads playing on the $6,000. slate piles, called Chapman’s “a Continued on page 2 unique place.”
50 cents
Northampton must Reduce pollutants In waterways By KERI LINDENMUTH As the Borough of Northampton reaches the end of its five-year MS4 permit, borough council is working on compliance to renew the permit in 2018. At its July 20 meeting, council discussed an upcoming compliance procedure. Among the biggest changes the borough must comply with is a pollutant reduction plan for its waterways. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Program (MS4) strives to minimize the negative impacts of storm water runoff. Its 2018 guidelines are requiring that all municipalities reduce pollution loading to their “impaired” streams. Michael Schwartz of Gilmore & Associates, who has spent two years helping the borough develop a plan for the MS4 guidelines, explained that all of Northampton’s waterways are “impaired,” including the Lehigh River, the Hockendauqua Creek, and the Catasauqua Creek. Metals, suspended solids, and siltation are among the pollutants that must be reduced. “You can lower pollutants, but [eliminating them] is mission impossible,” said Councilman Ed Pany. The DEP is asking that mu-
nicipalities reduce pollutants by five to ten percent over the course of five years. Schwartz explained that one of the ways to reduce pollutants is to plant trees along the waterways as a buffer. “Relatively speaking, the borough is in good compliance with the permit,” said Schwartz. A public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on August 17, giving the public the chance to learn more about the MS4 plan. In addition to Schwartz’s presentation at council’s regular meeting, Arthur Swallow of Arthur A. Swallow Associates Land Surveying & Development presented final/preliminary plans to council for apartments on 1503 Main Street. Last month, the planning commission approved the plans. However, for the project to continue, council needed to give approval. Council approved the plan with some conditions. Councilman Pany asked that something be done to ensure Keller Enterprises on Main Street, owned by Frank Keller, has parking for customers. “[They] are the oldest fuel dealer in the borough,” he said. “[We] do not want to penalize him at all…We want to take care of him.” Continued on page 9
Pet Photo Contest
Winner will be featured in our 2017 Pet Supplement. Win some awesome prizes from our sponsors - Affordable Pet Center, Doodie Calls and Dart Frogs to Dogs. Email a photo of your pet along with a short write-up (name, age, breed, etc.) to askus@homenewspa.com or mail to P.O. Box A, Walnutport, PA 18088. Entries will be posted to The Home News Facebook page where votes can be cast.
Phone: 610-923-0382 Deadline to enter: August 11 Deadline to vote: August 13
76th Year, Issue No. 30 www.homenewspa.com
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