ALLENTOWN – Two residents will begin serving three-year terms as council members when the Allentown Borough Council holds its 2020 reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7 at Borough Hall.
That evening, Martha Johnson and Daniel Payson, who were the winners in the Nov. 5 election, will take their seats at the council table and join Angela Anthony, John A. Elder III, Michael Drennan and Robert Strovinsky.
Also that evening, Thomas Fritts, who is completing his first three-year term on council, will be sworn in to begin serving a four-year term as mayor. Fritts defeated Greg Westfall, whose first term as mayor will end on Dec. 31, in the Nov. 5 election.
The reorganization will see a member of the council elected by his/her fellow members of the governing body to serve as council president during 2020.
Council members and the mayor will discuss their goals for the new year and make professional appointments, including the borough attorney and borough engineer.
During the final municipal meeting of 2019, which was held on Dec. 10, officials presented service recognition awards to three individuals.
Barbara Pater was recognized for her service to Allentown in numerous capacities from 1977 to 2019.
According to a resolution, at various times during her 42 years of employment, Pater worked as the planning and zoning board secretary, office clerk, deputy treasurer, senior office clerk, deputy tax collector, sewer rent collector, water rent collector, temporary tax collector, tax search officer, permanent tax collector, control person, deputy registrar and construction liaison.
The resolution states that “regardless of position or title, she served Allentown in good cheer, acting as a team player, shepherding newer employees, pitching in where needed during emergencies, and covering vacations as needed without being asked.”
And, Councilman Robert H. Schmitt Jr., who lost his bid for re-election in November, was recognized for the six years he has served on the governing body (2014-19).
Speaking to residents in attendance, Schmitt said, “It has been an honor to serve you.” Schmitt was raised in Allentown and said he is raising his daughters in the borough.
Addressing the individuals who will join the council in January and to others who may be elected in the future, Schmitt offered three suggestions: “No. 1, listen twice as much as you talk. No. 2, (remember) it is the people’s money, their hard-earned cash. No. 3, be led by your desire to serve. You are affiliated with one party – the people.”
Westfall, who lost his bid for re-election in November, was recognized for the four years he has served as mayor (2016-19).
In his remarks, Westfall thanked residents for attending council meetings in recent years.
“It’s so different from what it was six or eight years ago when there were one or two of us in the audience. We all care about the community and it has been my honor to serve,” Westfall said.
Pater, Schmitt and Westfall each received a standing ovation and applause from those in attendance.
In other business, the council accepted the resignation of John Bauer from the Historic Preservation Review Commission.
And, Westfall announced the resignation of Michael Furda from and the appointment of Thomas Braunworth to the Planning Board. Braunworth was a candidate for council in the November election. His one-year appointment to the Planning Board is for 2020.
