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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026
Dexter Cement
Northampton Bath Borough Council Public Advances America 250 Works, first Plans, adopts Elm Street Responders One-way ordinance And staff ment, though a groundbreaking By SAVANNAH BROWN Bath Borough Council met ceremony may occur if the monuPraised for Monday, Feb. 9, to review up- ment is not completed. An outdates on the borough’s America door movie night is also planned planning efforts, hear com- for July 3 at the park, donated by Snowstorm 250 mittee reports and act on a series a committee member. Council motions, resolutions and ordi- members also reminded residents Response ofnances. of the America 250 golf tourna-
ment was shipped in 1901. The president of the Company at the time was John Miller. In 1926, the plant was purchased by Penn Dixie Cement who operated several plants in the area. The plant was renamed Plant #4. The quarry for the plant was rich in limestone, so they constructed an aerial tramway that moved limestone 2 1/2 miles to Plant #5 of Penn Dixie. Each tramcar contained 0.09 tons of stone and moved 500 feet per minute. As a youth, this writer saw the tramway move across the landscape; it was a sight to remember. Over the years, the Dexter site has changed ownership several times. In 1976, the Dexter was owned by Coplay Cement (Cements Francais, of France). Coplay also purchased the Nazareth Plant and converted the site into a modern efficient plant. In 1980, the plant was
By KERI LINDENMUTH During the Feb. 5 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council members and Mayor Tony Pristash praised members of the borough’s Public Works Department, first responders and office staff for their response during the major snowstorm on Jan. 25. “It was an extraordinary snowfall, and it took an extraordinary event of teamwork,” said Mayor Pristash. “We have over 29 [or] 30 miles of roadway within the borough,” he continued. “That was a lot of snow to move, tonnage-wise, by this crew.” Throughout the storm and the days that followed, the borough’s Public Works team worked 12hour shifts to remove snow from roadways. “It was an extraordinary job that needed to be done, and continues to be done,” said Pristash. First responders, who continued to respond to emergencies during the storm, were also called out for the dedication, as were police who ensured vehicles parked illegally were removed to ensure safe and clear roadways. Councilwoman Julia Kutzler also
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Photo by Heidelberg Materials By ED PANY The Nazareth area has a long history in the cement industry. The first cement plant constructed was the Nazareth Cement Company in 1899. A short distance from the Nazareth plant, the Dexter Cement Company also built a new plant and 29 company homes in a village they named Dexter. Recently, Heidelberg Materials placed a historical marker on Route 248 remembering the village and the dedicated cement workers who resided there. Many of the workers were immigrants who came to the United States for a better life. The marker lists families who resided in Dexter. The list of names as well as the plaque was researched by Mr. Joseph C. Petraglia who’s hardworking family lived in the village. The Dexter plant operated nine rotary kilns capable of producing thousands of barrels of cement annually. The first ce-
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Council received an update ment fundraiser scheduled for from the 250th Celebration April 18 at Whitetail Golf Club, Committee, which reported that with dinner available even for more than 85 commemorative those who do not golf. The Parks and Recreation Combricks have been sold to date mittee reported that the event forand that the committee recently received a $500 anonymous do- Continued on page 10 nation. Council members outlined several upcoming America 250-related events, beginning with a kickoff announcement and ribbon-cutting ceremony set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16, at Borough Hall. The event will be held in a press conference format s The Home New to explain Bath’s plans connected 2026 to America 250, including the trailhead project, with members of the press invited and light reHealth freshments planned. d e at ic d e d Wellness A formal trailhead dedication to Beauty ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, at 1737 Park. The program is expected to include council members reading portions of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic selections by a community chorus, 85th Year, Issue No. 7 participation from the Bath Lewww.homenewspa.com gion Color Guard and the Bath Fire Department, along with guest speakers and other ceremonial elements. Council noted the ideal outcome would include the unveiling of the Founders Monu-
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