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JANUARY 15-21, 2026
Bath Borough Council Delays decision on Proposed Elm Street One-way change By SAVANNAH BROWN Bath Borough Council reorganized for the new year and addressed a contentious proposal to make a portion of Elm Street one-way during its meeting on Monday, Jan. 5. Several residents voiced opposition to a proposed ordinance that would designate Elm Street as one-way eastbound from Broad Street to Wolf Street. Of the 12 property owners affected, four or five attended the meeting to express concerns, saying they believe the change would be unsafe, increase traffic and was pushed through too quickly. Some residents initially believed the proposal was driven by a private developer. However, borough officials clarified that the change was initiated by the borough, not the developer. Under current regulations, any development involving a public roadway would require Elm Street to be widened, resulting in street improvement costs exceeding the cost of the development itself. Making the street one-way was included as a condition of approval to avoid that outcome. Officials said borough crews had already planned to repair the street and that the developer would contribute funding to improve the frontage of its property. They also acknowledged residents’ concerns about added traffic from two homes located on the portion of the street proposed to become one-way and said those issues would be addressed. Council had prepared to consider adoption of the ordinance at the January meeting, but with two newly seated council members unfamiliar with the issue and residents speaking in opposition, the matter was delayed. Newly appointed Council Vice President Emanuel Mirabito made a motion to adopt the ordinance, but the motion died for lack of a second. Council voted to table the or-
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Lehigh Township Police and neighbor Rescue elderly woman from icy pond By HOME NEWS STAFF Lehigh Township police and a quick-acting neighbor rescued an elderly woman from frigid water Saturday afternoon after she fell into a pond at her home, authorities said. Officers were dispatched at 2:36 p.m. on Jan. 11 to the 3400 block of West Walker Road following the activation of a medical alert pendant, according to the Lehigh Township Police Department. Upon arrival, officers Batihk and Stinemire saw the woman wav-
ing her arms for help. Police said the woman had fallen into a pond on the property while cleaning out its pump. With help from a nearby resident, the officers pulled her from the water and brought her safely inside the home. Northampton Regional EMS responded and transported the woman to a local hospital for treatment. Police said her body temperature had plummeted to 88 degrees upon evaluation, a level consistent
dinance until February and to re-advertise it. Residents were encouraged to raise questions or concerns at the Feb. 9 meeting. Borough officials said all required procedures for public notice and transparency had been followed. Council also took action related to the borough’s stormwater projects. Members discussed the Bath Borough Stormwater Authority, which was established about a year ago and oversees projects totaling approximately $800,000. Because the authority lacks three years of revenue history, it cannot independently secure financing for upcoming MS4 projects. Council voted to apply for a loan of up to $1 million at a low interest rate of 1.75% over 20 years, with the borough cosigning the loan. Officials said the borough ultimately remains responsible for the required permits. As part of the reorganization, Mayor Fiorella Reginelli Mirabito was sworn in for another fouryear term, her fourth as mayor. She also administered the oath of office to newly elected council members Katherine Yost and Darrin Heckman. Affidavits of residency and oaths of office were completed by Yost, Heckman and James Liesicki. Council then elected its officers, reappointing Frank Hesch as council president, naming Emanuel Mirabito as vice president and Samantha Angst as president pro tempore. Council also approved a series of routine appointments by motion, including the intent to renew the employment agreement of Borough Manager Bradford T. Flynn; the reappointment of Grim, Biehn & Thatcher, with Mary Drovich celebrates her 100th birthday at Patrick Armstrong serving as Gracedale Nursing Home. borough solicitor; Colliers EngiBy SAVANNAH BROWN same plainspoken wisdom that neering & Design Inc., with Ron Mary Drovich doesn’t make a has guided her for a century: Madison as borough engineer; “You can’t do much about it," Hanover Engineering as sewage big fuss about turning 100. When asked about how it she said, "so you just make the enforcement officers; and Barry feels to reach such a milestone, best of it and take what comes." she offers her answer with the Then she smiled and suggested, Continued on page 5
with severe hypothermia. In a statement, the police department credited the officers’ swift response with saving the woman’s life and highlighted the value of medical alert systems for older residents. “This shows the importance for elderly family members and friends to utilize medical pendants. Even though the majority of pendant activations that we get are accidental, this incident is proof that they work and could quite possibly save a life.” the department said.
A Century of memories: Mary Drovich celebrates her 100th birthday at Gracedale “Maybe I’ll just start over.” That quiet humor and steady outlook were on full display as Mary celebrated her 100th birthday at Gracedale Nursing Home, the very place where she once spent more than two decades caring for others before retiring. Now a resident there, she remains sharp, mobile and, according to her family, hard to keep up with. Born and raised on Daniels Road in Nazareth, Mary grew up on a small farm and later raised her own children on that same stretch of land. She is the mother of three—Steve, Rosie and Donald—and says without hesitation that her children are what she is most proud of. As a single mother, she worked hard to provide for them, putting her family first at every turn. The children helped with chores around the house Continued on page 12
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