Mayor s Message. Volume 11, No

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1 Volume 11, No Mayor s Message It is with a sense of great pride and yes, some sadness, that I write to you, the citizens of our Borough for one final time as my term as Mayor will end in just a few short weeks. I want everyone to know how fulfilling and enjoyable it was for me to be a Councilman and serve my final 16 months in office as your Mayor. I have enjoyed my twenty years in public service and would urge others to consider throwing their hat into the ring to help to make a difference in the future of our community. I am proud to have been a part of Nazareth s expansion of its park system, the rebuilding of its Pool and Refreshment Stand, construction of the West End Walking Trails and soccer fields and the adding of both a Dog Park and Skate Park. I have always felt that we owe our citizens the very best in recreational opportunities and I think Council has made the correct decisions to provide what is perhaps the best park system in Northampton County. Ten years ago, we moved our government center and police department to South Main Street in a move that should serve us for the next fifty years and we as a Borough showed that Nazareth had a future and could provide for its needs... the Borough was right to do so. I am proud too that I was part of the turnaround that our Police Department is undergoing and know that our citizens are not only safer but that our officers are better trained to handle whatever incidents and situations that may come their way. Saturday mornings at our Farmer s Market have not only put the very best in fruit and produce on my kitchen table but have given me a chance to listen to our residents and visitors too about what we might do to make Nazareth even better. The news that two brew pubs are coming to our downtown instills confidence that more and more businesses will find a happy home in Nazareth, in surroundings that are picturesque, historical and welcoming. Over my years on Council, our Borough has rebuilt streets, added a Yard Waste Recycling Center and seen to its storm water needs while planning for an infrastructure future that will keep it serving us all in the best possible way. I am confident that our Public Works Department will continue to efficiently maintain all of our buildings, streets and facilities in a way that will make us proud. They have always made the Borough look and function the way it should and I know they will continue to do so. Finally, over my twenty years on Council, I have met and interacted with some of the best that Nazareth has to offer... my fellow Council members. I didn t always agree with them on policy or their decisions or their Council votes but I respected the fact that they were acting in what they believed to be the best interests of our Borough. To my way of thinking, Council is blessed to have a dozen devoted men and women with different ideas about where the Borough should be but that diversity of opinions has led to some excellent decisionmaking. They have set the course of our future, what laws are in place and what projects we should fund. Along the way, I came to respect them all for their devotion and dedication and their love for this place we call our hometown. But perhaps the best part of living in Nazareth, has been the wonderful people who I have met along the way... those who I have sat with in the bleachers at football games or mingled with at the Memorial Day and Halloween Parades and the others who greeted me while I was picking up a pizza or enjoying a walk with my wife. They are the heart and soul of Nazareth, the fiber of our community... the ones I will miss the most. Nazareth is their hometown and they truly care about its future. I leave you, not only with my appreciation for your support for my time on Council and as Mayor, but I leave you with the optimism that those who follow as residents and others who may serve on Council, will continue to do what is best for us all in the Borough of Nazareth. Thank you and may God bless you and keep you. Mayor John Samus

2 New Lighting Improvements For the Circle The reviews are in and they are good...make that very good and for lots of reasons. In the Fall of 2016 Councilman Charles Donello, who heads the Borough s Ecology and Lighting Committee, started his investigation into what was the best way to light our Borough s historic Circle. A prior effort to make concrete cuts needed to run enough power to the Circle ended with bids that were far too expensive for what the Borough had budgeted even before it had looked at the actual lighting fixtures and their installation costs. Together with his Committee and Borough Engineer Al Kortze, Donello headed back to the drawing board. With lots of natural gas in our area and historically low prices, Colonial Look gas lighting looked like the perfect fit and once that decision was made, Charleston-style fixtures were the choice Donello and his Committee made. With natural gas prices at an all-time low and Pennsylvania having an ample supply of it, the best part is the fact that the costs of lighting our Circle are just a fraction of what they once were. Keller Zoning & Code Enforcement Will Continue Serving the Borough Through 2018 Borough Council voted to continue with Keller Zoning as the Borough s provider for Zoning and Code enforcement services as well as rental inspections through Following the securing of proposals from other entities, Council opted for the continued local presence of Keller Zoning by a 6-3 vote. Nostalgia Corner...Ever Wonder Where and How Our Borough s Streets Got Their Names? A closer look at some of the names of our Borough s streets might make you wonder who did the naming and just what were they thinking. Here s a few examples of some of the more curious choices. Our very own North Street runs East and West while South Street actually runs East and West too. We don t have a West Street or an East Street so I can t comment on which way those streets would run and maybe both North and South Streets were given those names to avoid having to say North North Street or South South Street to further define a location or an address. Having lived in that area, it was hard not to notice that Wood Street has No trees on it and Church Street has No churches on it either. Why was Mauch Chunk Street called that and why does it magically turn into Belvidere Street once it crosses Main Street. A long time ago, it was the westbound road and trolley start to Mauch Chunk, today called Jim Thorpe. It also was the eastbound trolley start for a trip to Belvidere, New Jersey so it makes sense that Mauch Chunk Street goes to the west and the same street becomes Belvidere Street going east. And how about our affinity for President s names. We have a Lincoln Avenue, a Madison Avenue and a Washington Street. A street name can say a lot about where you are as in Woodside Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Cement Street, Quarry Street, Convent Avenue, Black Rock Road and Forest Drive while the Borough s widest street is aptly named... Broad Street. Somebody loved trees which explains why we have Walnut Street, Chestnut Street, Poplar Street, Cherry Street, Elm Street, Cedar Street, Pine Street, Willow Street, Maple Street, Birch Street, Hickory Street and Oak Street...almost forgot West Mulberry Street...don t look for East Mulberry or just Mulberry Street because they do not exist. But while it is apparent that our forefathers had an affinity for trees, they did not like fruit trees as there is no Apple Street, Apricot Street, Pear Street, Plum Street, Peach Street or Nectarine Street but somehow Cherry Street did sneak in there and so did Orchard Street. Hmm!!. Last time I looked, an orchard was a place where fruit trees grew. Some of our streets look to our history as in Whitfield Street, Moravian Street, Schoeneck Road and Phoenix Street while others show optimism in street names like Progress Street, Prospect Street, Liberty Street and Union Street. Convent Avenue was called that because a convent was on that street, at least until June 28, 2017 when the structure was razed. Nazareth has a long racing history which just might explain Victory Lane once the home of Nazareth s most famous sports hero not to mention Race Street. And of all the ironies, if you want to get to the Borough s loftiest point of elevation...take High Street to get there. Former Councilman Jack Herbst Tragically Passes Three term Councilman Jack R. Herbst passed away on August 12, Herbst served 12 years as a Third Ward Councilman. Jack s list of achievements is extensive but it was his determination and his follow through to have the Borough construct both a Skate Park and also the Lehigh Valley s best Dog Park for which he will always be remembered. In 2007 and 2008, he fought against heavy odds and vocal opponents who contended that neither Park

3 was needed nor important which only encouraged him to singlehandedly secure the public support and the funding for both Parks by appealing to Northampton County Council and neighboring municipalities for their financial backing. Herbst also solicited donations from businesses and citizens to build the Dog Park fencing system while writing the rules and regulations that allowed pets to enjoy the open spaces the new Park provided. An advocate for all that our Park system had to offer, Jack helped to institute the Concerts in the Park series and the Sunday Night Movies in the Park program both of which were immensely popular while playing a major role in the rebuilding of the main baseball field used by our high school team and American Legion baseball. When the Borough Offices moved from 30 Belvidere Street to its current home at 134 South Main Street, Herbst coordinated the transfer of property and records and setup the internal makeup of the new building while negotiating with First Energy Services to get our Borough the most favorable electricity rates to be found. In 2009, for all of his efforts, his accomplishments and his determination to make our Borough a better place in which to live, the Borough nominated him as a candidate for Councilperson of the Year and the State of Pennsylvania honored him as the second place finisher among thousands of candidates. Jack Herbst had dreams for his hometown but his real strength could be found in his ability to turn those dreams into reality. Our Dog Park, Skate Park, Baseball Field and our current Borough offices will stand as a testament to what a determined man was able to accomplish. Jack leaves behind wife Karen and son Stefan...and a legacy of dreams turned into the reality of parks, facilities and programs we are utilizing and enjoying today. Borough Will Say A Very Fond Farewell to Mayor Samus and Councilman Brian Regn Every two years, Borough Council sees some of its members up for re-election and every four years, residents get to choose a new Mayor. The election can and often does bring new faces and that certainly is the case this year as we will say goodbye to two beloved long-standing public servants who are voluntarily leaving public office. Mayor John Samus has served the Borough in some capacity since 1986, serving five terms as Councilman and the last two years as our Mayor. In between, John found time to be on the Municipal Authority, Ambulance Board and as a significant cog in 1990 s 250th Anniversary Celebration. Mayor Samus love for his hometown is apparent in the way he interacts with our residents whether it s on his nightly walks with wife Susan where they often stop and chat with concerned citizens or at meetings and events where he speaks with admiration about Nazareth, Borough Council and the life he has led here with his wife and family. Mayor Samus has always acted in Nazareth s best interests and has left little doubt about his community devotion attending six or seven Borough meetings each month, presenting Borough resolutions to Eagle Scouts or other honorees or leading the parade for Memorial Day, the July 4th Kazoo Parade or at Halloween. Nazareth Borough Council will miss a man who devoted his life to public service, to making Nazareth better, to revitalizing our Police Department and for doing his part in ensuring that government listened to our residents and then did something about it. More importantly, we will miss a man who made no secret about his love for Nazareth and who would look you in the eye, shake your hand and give you a straight answer. We can all be thankful for the twenty years of public service which John Samus gave to the Borough of Nazareth. We wish John and wife Susan well and will never forget his time with us on Council. Second term Councilman Brian Regn will end his tenure as a First Ward Councilman as well. Brian brought the Borough into the age of technology, recognizing the importance of security cameras, updated technical services and better communication methods for Police, Fire, Public Works and Emergency Management. His familiarity with new systems and his determination to see upgrades brought us better enforcement of Park security, decreased vandalism, enhanced citizen safety and more efficient policing. Brian brought a reasoned voice to Council, cautioning its members to take a long term view of where the Borough should be headed and to make decisions accordingly. He was a strong advocate of preserving the Borough s historical past but made it clear that we should never be left behind in maintaining our facilities and replacing outdated and unsafe equipment and vehicles. We will all miss Brian s distinguished manner, his pleasant smile and the respect he brought to Council by the way he interacted with his contemporaries on Council and with our citizens. Council s best wishes, our appreciation and admiration go to Brian Regn, his wife Suzanne and son Conner. Public Works Superintendent Bob Reimer Receives Recognition From Senator Scavello This week, I was privileged to present Nazareth Public Works Superintendent Bob Reimer with a Senate Proclamation which I introduced this year honoring our many public works employees throughout the Commonwealth. These committed men and women improve the communities in which we live y providing

4 core services including planning, building, managing and operating public works systems. They keep our roads clear of snow at all times of day and night, maintain our streets, storm water systems and the Parks we enjoy in our leisure time and do so much more. Thank you Bob, for all that you do and thank you to all of Nazareth s Public Works employees for what they do all year long. Nazareth Borough is fortunate to have you. Senator Mario Scavello Understanding the Borough s Stormwater Management What is the NDPES MS4 Program? Untreated or uncontrolled storm water runoff is the number one cause of impairment in our local waterways. Polluted runoff is often transported through municipal drainage systems until it eventually discharges into streams, lakes, and rivers untreated. An MS4, or Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, is comprised of drainage systems, including streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels and storm pipes, owned by the Township. As part of the Federal Clean Water Act the Borough is required to have a permit to cover these stormwater discharges and to maintain compliance with their permit. MS4 Management Programs are intended to improve the Nation s surface waters by reducing the pollutants that are transported through runoff into the storm sewer systems during rainfall events. Compliance with the MS4 permit aims to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent possible and protect water quality all while complying with the water quality requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act. In Pennsylvania, the MS4 program is administered at the state level by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) which has federal oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The MS4 program has six (6) components designated MCM s or Minimum Control Measures that when implemented result in a reduction in pollutants discharged into receiving waters. The six minimum control measures and the actions required include the following: 1. Public Education and Outreach Distribute educational materials and conduct outreach to inform residents about the impacts that storm water runoff has on water quality. 2. Public Participation/Involvement Provide opportunities for residents to participate in the storm water management program or other programs which improve water quality. 3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Develop and implement a plan to detect and eliminate non storm water discharges into the storm water system in addition to detailed mapping of storm sewer system. 4. Construction Site Runoff Control Develop, implement and enforce an erosion and sediment control program for construction site activities of that disturb one acre or greater. 5. Post-Construction Runoff Control Develop, implement and enforce a program to address discharges of post-construction storm water runoff from new development or redevelopment areas. 6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Develop and implement a program that reduces or prevents pollutant runoff from municipal operations. Pool Enjoys Another Solid Summer Following on the heels of two successive banner summers, the Nazareth Pool again posted great numbers despite rainy and overcast weather which closed the Pool to swimmers for a record 22 days. Pool Manager Diane Mullen and her staff oversaw another safe swimming season complete with four Poolside dances hosted by a Disc Jockey and all for the mere price of pool admission. Swim lessons were popular again too as our competent lifeguards hosted morning sessions for a small fee. With three consecutive years of record receipts now in the books, Nazareth Borough Council is looking to add more features to our Pool to keep it the summer destination it has always been. While there are no current specific plans, Council will research what is available in new water features so that pool goers will continue to be provided the very best in summer fun Borough Budget Will Not Contain A Tax Increase The Borough Treasurer conducted the annual Budget Workshop on Wednesday, October 25th and over the three hour meeting, Council made decisions on what programs it would fund in 2018 and where and how our tax dollars would be spent. Among the approved expenditures, look for $122,000 in road repairs, $20,000 in funding for storm water alleviation, nearly $50,000 in roof repairs, the hiring of an additional full time police officer and the purchase of two new police vehicles. The balanced 2018 Budget will first be proposed for approval in early November. It will then be available for inspection for ten days in late November before eventual passage at the December Business Meeting as part of the Borough s Annual Tax & Levy Ordinance.

5 Lots of Boards & Commissions Posts Need To Be Filled With the close of each year, the Borough seeks to fill the many openings it has on its Boards and Commissions rosters. Finding community minded volunteers has never been easy, particularly since these are unpaid positions but residents are needed to make decisions on planning, zoning, the hiring of police officers through Civil Service and to help with the Borough s representation on the Library Board. Other Council appointees take positions with the Municipal Authority, the Ambulance Board and with the newly formed Nazareth Day Commission and make no mistake about it, their contributions are vital to where our Borough is headed. Many like Donald Broad, Gail Kromer, Harry Lance and Barbara Fischl serve on multiple commissions while others like current Planning Commission member Glenn Boerstler (40+ yrs)and former volunteers John Waha(40+ yrs), Pat Mondschein (20+ yrs) and the late Joe Lantzer (30+ yrs), thankfully served us all for decades. Ads for the openings run every two weeks in the Nazareth Key and they list a late November deadline but we never have enough well meaning citizens, so apply to the Borough Secretary through the website portal or send a letter anytime. The pay isn t great nor are the benefits because there aren t any of either but the work you will do is admirable and the list of people you will help, is endless...just like the gratification you will get from knowing you pitched in to enrich the lives of others. Have A Question, Comment or Complaint...Use the Portal on the Borough s Website Lots of residents and prospective visitors have made use of the Question/Complaint option on the Borough website to get quick answers or voice their displeasure. We receive plenty of suggestions too about ways and policies which would improve our Borough but the most gratifying messages come from those who have had a great experience at our Dog Park, Skate Park or in our Pool. Either way, it has given a voice to those who need information or want to vent or just need details about a parade or an event in our downtown. We encourage our residents to use it and you can be sure of one thing...you ll get an answer. Remember When Nazareth Had Its First Fast Food Restaurant...Burger Chef? Nobody could provide an exact date or even the year, but Nazareth had its first fast food restaurant nearly sixty years ago when a Burger Chef opened in the small strip center which now contains Dunkin Donuts. A regular cheeseburger sold for $.29 and fries were $.10. There was no drive through but lots of parking and plenty of long lines. At the time of its opening, only MacDonald s had more nationwide locations but the Nazareth restaurant only remained open for a short time before giving way to other food venues in that same location. Here s a picture of what our Burger Chef sort of looked like. Nazareth has not had a sandwich style fast food restaurant since then. End of Year Calendar November 30, 2017 Recycling Center Closes For Season 5:00 pm Stoudt Boulevard November 30, 2017 Skate Park - Last Day Open till April 18 Dusk Borough Park November 30, 2017 December Council Workshop 6:00 pm Council Chambers December 4, 2017 December Business Meeting 6:00 pm Council Chambers December 7, 2017 Tree Lighting Ceremony 7:00 pm In the Circle December 9, 2017 Christmas in Nazareth 11:00 am In the Downtown January 2, 2018 Reorganization Meeting 6:00 pm Council Chambers

6 The Borough of Nazareth 134 South Main Street Nazareth, PA PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Lehigh Valley, PA Permit No. 177 Nazareth Borough Council Daniel Chiavaroli President Larry Stoudt Vice President John N. Samus Mayor Paul A. Kokolus Secretary/Treasurer Alfred S. Pierce Solicitor Albert R. Kortze Engineer Randall P. Miller Police Commissioner Bob Reimer Public Works Superintendent Dennis Huth, Keller Zoning and Inspections Zoning and Code Officer Important Phone Numbers Councilpersons First Ward Michael Kopach Frank S. Maurek Brian F. Regn Second Ward Carl A. Fischl Larry Stoudt Jessica Teel Third Ward Lance E. Colondo Daniel Chiavaroli Charles A. Donello Nazareth Borough Police/Fire/Ambulance Emergencies 911 Nazareth Borough Police Department (non-emergency) Non-Emergency 911 Center Nazareth Borough Administration Offices Nazareth Borough Highway Department Nazareth Borough Tax Collector Nazareth Borough Code Enforcement Nazareth Borough Park Reservation Nazareth Borough Refuse/Recycling Have a question, article, letter or comment about the newsletter? Contact the Borough Office at or us at nazboro@rcn.com. We ask that you call the Borough Office if you know anyone who is not receiving the newsletter or who is receiving duplicate copies. Send to: Borough Secretary Borough of Nazareth 134 South Main Street Nazareth, PA 18064