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OCTOBER 10-16, 2019
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Mayoral Proclamation Awarded to Bath Assistant Fire Chief
Mayor Fiorella Mirabito awarded her first-ever mayoral proclamation to Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Keenhold.
Northampton Borough looking at Fire truck financing
By KERI LINDENMUTH After expressing concerns about purchasing a new ladder truck for the Northampton Borough Fire Department, Northampton Borough Council has engaged in discussions with the fire department to see whether a purchase is possible within the next few years. In September, council tabled a decision to approve the purchase of a new Pierce aerial ladder truck for $1.4 million. The 15-year loan would cost the borough nearly $80,000 per year. Councilmembers said other borough expenses took precedence, and they were worried about what they called a lack of reporting. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the borough’s fire committee met with Chief Keith Knoblach to
discuss finances. “We walked away with a positive attitude and a can-do spirit,” said Councilwoman Judy Kutzler on Thursday, Oct. 3 during council’s workshop meeting. Kutzler also apologized to Knoblach after reviewing the fire department’s annual report. “They have a wonderful report,” she said. She said the report indicates that nearby municipalities “will be there for us during this downtime” without a ladder truck. If the fire truck is purchased now, the borough would not get it until 2021. With no promises made to purchase a new ladder truck, council did promise to continue to look at financing. In other news, a report on rental inspections was given
during the borough’s workshop meeting. In September, 159 inspections were conducted by zoning officer Keith Knoblach. Eighty-four licenses were issued. Knoblach said that a number of properties are in review status. He indicated that most of the issues found are issues like missing fire detectors or missing C02 detectors. “Some of the landlords just need to know what we are looking for,” Knoblach said, “[Then] they make updates to their other properties.” Finally, Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst is working on scheduling a meeting with surrounding municipalities and FedEx representatives to discuss truck traffic concerns. Brobst said the meeting should be held sometime within the next month.
By KERI LINDENMUTH During the Bath Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, Mayor Fiorella Mirabito awarded her first-ever mayoral proclamation to Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Keenhold for his bravery and dedication during a Jan. 1 fire call in the borough. “Finally I get to do a proclamation for someone special in our community,” she said. During January’s fire in the 600 block of Main Street, two firefighters became trapped in the burning row home. Keenhold entered the building, located the firefighters, and brought them to
safety. To honor Keenhold’s “selflessness and heroic efforts,” Mayor Mirabito named Jan. 1, 2020 Christopher Keenhold Day. Keenhold was previously recognized with the Spirit of Courage Award hosted by Lehigh Valley Health Network. Mayor Mirabito praised all of the firefighters on Keenhold’s team. “What these guys do on a daily basis,” she said, “I do not think I can do.” Keenhold received a standing ovation by council and residents after receiving his award.
Looking by Back Ed Pany On the farm, 1930
A few weeks ago Bob Mentzell, a friend, former outstanding teacher at Northampton High School and current school member, forwarded this writer a series of photographs showing my father, Anthony Pany, working on the Smith Farm in East Allen Township during the Great Depression. Anthony immigrated to the United States as a youth from Austria. His education in this new country was limited. In order to help his large family, he was hired as a farm hand on the Smith Farm. The series of photographs depicts farm life in the ‘30s. Farm
life was quite different during that era. Agriculture lacked the modern equipment of today’s farms. Most daily chores were performed by manual labor. They still used horses to supplement their first tractor, a solid steel McCormack tractor on steel spiked wheels. There was no automatic Continued on page 6
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