Catty treasurer announces resignation – Lehigh Valley Press

During the Oct. 21 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, borough Treasurer Catherine VanDyne announced her resignation.

"When I was hired a little over two years ago, I walked into a mess," she said, noting she had never seen overspending quite like it. "I've worked here with honesty, integrity, professionalism, and I've gone above and beyond to right the sinking ship I inherited in 2022."

VanDyne said she has worked closely with borough Manager Glenn Eckhart and council President Howard Cunningham to implement new procedures to bring spending under control. She noted all departments are on board, and they have been delivering balanced budgets.

VanDyne said she previously felt the support of council — but not anymore. She recalled being accused of "creative accounting" at a recent meeting and was reportedly bullied into approving an expenditure and purchase order before all procedures had been done.

"I could no longer work for an organization that allowed such bullying," she said. "For a council member to circumvent the process and make derogatory comments to me and about me is out of line."

VanDyne said she wanted to leave the, at times, "toxic" environment at borough hall but remains dedicated to the people of Catasauqua she has worked for during the last few years. She is determined to see out the year and ensure her last budget remains balanced and the bills are paid.

Her last day will be Jan. 3, 2025.

At the end of the meeting, Cunningham thanked VanDyne for her "dedication and commitment to the people of Catasauqua."

During his comments at the start of the meeting, Cunningham reminded the public the borough is "squeezed financially, like most other municipalities," but the budget is being "diligently worked on."

He read details about the Homestead Tax Exemption Act and the Property Tax Rebate Program regarding tax relief for some residents. Any residents interested in learning more about these programs can find details on the Lehigh County website.

Cunningham then made a motion to authorize borough Solicitor Charles Smith to contact J.P. Mascaro and Sons, the borough's garbage and recycling services provider, to ask if the company would be willing to allow the borough to restructure the existing contract to change the collection to once a week, instead of twice, as a cost-saving measure for residents. This would change the costs from $602 a year to $450 per unit.

"I'm in favor of reducing costs as much as we can," Cunningham said.

Smith reminded council members they are asking Mascaro to work with the borough to amend the contract, but the company is under no obligation to change things.

The motion carried unanimously, so Smith said he will reach out.

A resident noted his opposition to changing to once-a-week collection. He said residents with families will be greatly impacted by switching to only once a week. He worried it might be a strain on families that may generate more garbage than others.

Additional budget discussions included cost-saving measures such as getting rid of some of the police department vehicles, getting rid of the borough detective and reevaluating grants in the borough, particularly for the pool area. The proposed budget is available for review on the borough website.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel noted they are already considering shifting things around for the police vehicles and that the detective also does patrol work and helps cover shifts.

Cunningham reminded council members they need to advertise the budget for 30 days before final approval. Since the business meeting is Dec. 16, it needs to be advertised in mid-November. He suggested they get their suggestions to Eckhart and VanDyne as soon as possible.

In other business, Sean O'Boyle provided a Civil Service Commission update on the process to name a new police chief. He noted the current candidate — Officer John Wiseman — passed the oral examination given by members of the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Association with flying colors.

According to O'Boyle, the examiners found Wiseman to be "engaging, dedicated and intelligent," his "dedication to Catasauqua was readily apparent," and he will be an "asset to the community."

The Civil Service Commission was expected to officially certify him Oct. 24. The process then moves back to council for physical and psychological examinations. It was questioned if those are necessary since he is currently an active police officer in the district.

Council is considering holding a special meeting in early November. Schlegel thanked the Civil Service Commission for its work in moving the process forward.

Council approved the nomination of Chris Spadaccia as the new borough emergency management agency director.

Council approved three resolutions.

Resolution 19-2024 is for a statewide Local Share Account grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a street sweeper in the amount of $227,127, with no match from the borough. In addition to keeping the streets clean, it helps meet an MS4 requirement.

Resolution 20-2024 is for a statewide LSA grant from the CFA for $1,000,000 for a pumper truck for the fire department, with no match from the borough. It was noted parts are hard to get for repairs, and it takes about two years to get a new one built. There are reportedly funds in the capital plan to cover the remaining balance for a new truck, and borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick noted the entire amount doesn't need to be put up at once.

Resolution 21-2024 is for a Main Street Matters District Development grant for $30,000 for the first phase of the pool house renovation, focusing on the roof. The borough already has money allocated in the budget to cover the remainder of the project cost, Nedrick said.

Nedrick also provided a lengthy report about several ongoing projects in the borough. She reported the borough applied for a DCED multimodal grant for a school zone on 14th Street.

Additionally, she said a water system valuation and rate study was requested by Eckhart and Cunningham. She said it would be approximately $20,000 or less for the valuation, and the rate study would be an additional $9,000. Cunningham tabled the item to discuss at the workshop meeting.

Nedrick requested the third payment certificate for the Race Street parking lot project in the amount of $57,823.82. She said the final paving is done, the lot is striped, and they are in the final stages of closing out the contract.

There was discussion about the lot. Council Vice President Brian Bartholomew said he was not happy with the layout, and Schlegel and Nedrick noted they had to lose some spots. Council approved the payment certificate, with Bartholomew opposed.

Nedrick also requested a change order for the Walnut Street stormwater improvements project for a health and safety addition. The project is completed, but additional concrete was needed to install a second railing. The borough received grant funds for $312,000 for the project. This change order, in the amount of $3,995, is still within the grant funds, so there is no extra cost to the borough. Council approved the request.

Another change order was approved regarding the water interconnections replacement project. This negative change order credited the borough $5,390. Payment certificate number two for the water interconnection project, in the amount of $179,154.78, was approved.

Nedrick also requested a change order for the wastewater treatment plant roof replacement project. She reported the contractor is asking for a 14 calendar-day extension due to the weather and supply delays. There is no extra expense to the borough. Council approved the request.

Councilman Eugene Schlegel shared his opposition to the suggestion the organization running the borough tree-lighting ceremony — the Friends of Catasauqua Parks — be charged for the cost of liability insurance.

"This organization is a state-certified nonprofit organization," Eugene Schlegel said. "We are comprised of volunteers who give every cent earned to the borough and borough debts. We have given over $10,000 of funds we have earned, and we operate clear and independent of the borough, costing the borough almost nothing."

He noted no other organization has been asked to cover liability insurance, and this is the only one that actually gives money back to the borough.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel noted this event does not cost the borough anything. Many of the things needed for the event are donated and covered externally, and she covers additional costs.

Cunningham made a limited motion to waive the liability event fee for Cattykindlmart this year. The motion approved unanimously.

Councilwoman Tara Nicholas reported Keycodes changed its fee schedule, and council approved the new Keycodes rates for 2025.

Smith reported they are trying to reinvigorate the code appeal hearing board for residents who want to appeal conditions from the code enforcement officer. Open spots are available on the board.

Nicholas also noted there are vacancies on the borough zoning hearing board and planning commission.

Cunningham noted conversations continue between the borough, Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority and VM Development Group to keep the Iron Works project moving forward. There is an exclusive negotiation agreement with VM Development Group, and they are discussing the agreement of sale for the property.

According to Eugene Schlegel, the borough's Shade Tree Commission sent notices regarding violations. He noted a number of trees on Catasauqua Area School District property need attention.

A resident asked if there is a better way of getting information out to residents, besides the Anything Catasauqua Facebook page. Council members noted there is a new official borough Facebook page, and residents are always invited to come to the public council meetings to see things happen firsthand.

Council adjourned to an executive session at the end of the meeting.

Catasauqua Borough Council will meet 6 p.m. Nov. 4 for the committee and workshop meetings. The next regular business meeting is set for Nov. 18. Meetings are held in the borough municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.