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The Home News Your Local News
JULY 9-15, 2015
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Rains come, but July 4th kazoos buzz in Nazareth by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
A group called “Sing for America” sang a number of patriotic songs at the Nazareth ceremony. –Home News photo
Just as predicted, the rains came on the 4th of July. Although umbrellas were the order of the day, the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd who took part in the annual kazoo celebration in Nazareth. They got a late start, hoping that the rain would let up, but the drizzle persisted, and so the marchers went from Nazareth High School to the council chambers at W. Center & Green Streets, buzzing their kazoos all the way. Speakers, including Elmer Yeakel and Mayor Carl Strye, lauded not only the Independence Day observance, but also the 275th anniversary that
Nazareth Borough residents are commemorating this year. A group of young people calling themselves “Sing for America” sang a number of patriotic songs and in the finale with “God Bless America” waved the American flags. Special tribute in sthe ong was also paid to the veterans who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The group gives all their profits to veterans’ organizations. Flags and red, white and blue stars were also distributed to veterans in the audience as they huddled under umbrellas or braved the steady raindrops. The event was sponsored by the Nazareth – Bath Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bath Council appoints Fenstermaker to vacancy by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Two people provided information on their qualifications on Monday night, and Bath Borough Council voted to appoint Barry Fenstermaker to a vacant seat. He was nominated in the recent municipal primary election, and will fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Kathryn Roberts. Fenstermaker is a lifelong borough resident and has been very involved with borough activities. He will be sworn in at the August 3 meeting. The other person who was interested in the position has only lived in Bath since February, when there is a requirement for at least one-year residency. Other than that, he had an admirable background. With Mark Saginario recently becoming president after Robert Fields resigned, a new type of agenda was followed on Monday. Councilwoman Carol BearHeckman chairs the public safety and community development
committees. On safety, she said there may be tri-fold stop signs, pedestrian crossings are being examined, and an accurate list of all residents may be compiled. She also discussed single use and multiple use of dwellings. Zoning Officer Dennis Huth said there are no mixed use locations, but that they could be called downtown use. Solicitor Blake Marles said criteria should be established like mixed use, while there were suggestions for minimum apartments, storage sheds, two-family homes with a common property line, and commercial neighborhood. While Councilman Mike Reph said the project is too big in scope and should be held off for now, Ms. Heckman and Councilwoman Jennifer George said they’d like to move forward with the planning. Ms. George, who heads parks and recreation, discussed parking at Ciff Cowling Park and the possibility of cement stops and split-rail fencing. The latter was approved later in the meeting.
She would like to see the NorBath Trail completed in cooperation with the county, ending it at Ciff Cowling Park. Repairs need to be made on the baseball field bleachers, but that will wait until 2016. The tot lot that was put in with the construction of the Old Forge townhouses many years ago will have old fencing removed and replaced with split rail fencing. She would like to give the play lot a real name, and suggestions are welcome. Ms. George also touched on the Siegfried Log Cabin and using it for a trick or treat location at Halloween. That structure was discussed much more later on. Councilwoman Michele Ehrgott reported that the Nazareth Council of Government is setting up a steering committee for an inter-municipal comprehensive plan. NazCOG also discussed the impact coming soon from truck traffic, and the numbers of owner and rental properties. Other Matters • Rafael Geiger reported that
signatures are being taken for a proposed disc golf course. He said he could build it and the borough would maintain it. Either a 9 or 18-hole course was mentioned, although a location is not yet selected if it does become a reality. The cost and land use are part of the equation. Ms. George said there were plans for a disc course a few years ago, but a grant was denied. • Jim Pasquariello announced a motorcycle ride on Saturday, July 18 that will benefit children who are chronically ill. It will begin and end at the Bath Fire Social Hall. A 2015 Harley-Davidson motorcycle will be raffled off. The riders will arrive at about 11 a.m. • Saginario reported that a resident is disappointed that he can’t put in a storage shed because he lacks the side yard setback requirement of five feet. Huth will look into a change in the ordinance, but as it stands now the shed can’t be put in. Continued on page 7
Featured Pet of the Week Page 5
Gin Mill honored in Northampton Page 9
Audiology services recognized Page 10
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