Council Discusses Pool Attendance, Grilling in Park

In spite of , the Hellertown Pool is so far having a good season in terms of attendance, Hellertown Borough Council member said July 5.

Nolf said she had recently spoken to pool manager Ed Kolosky, and that he told her the pool is doing "very well" this year.

During the busy Fourth of July weekend, "there was a large percentage of people from out of town (at the pool), and everyone was well-behaved," she added.

"The weekend went very well," Nolf said, adding that snack bar sales have also been healthy.

Following Nolf's comments, council Vice President John Bate noted that over the holiday weekend he had observed some pool guests "tailgating" in the parking lot across the street and using hibachi grills in .

"I watched them and they were well-behaved and they would go from there to the pool and back," Bate said. "It looked like they were having fun."

Bate asked Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer Joe Chernaskey whether barbecuing in the park is permitted, because he said there are no signs to indicate whether that is the case.

"I don't think there's a sign up with rules and regulations," Bate said, adding that "there used to be."

"I'm almost positive you cannot (barbecue)," Chernaskey responded.

The reason for the ban, he added, is that "in a park...somebody could have an accident with (a cooking fire)."

Of the issue, council President Phil Weber said, "I think we need an answer on that."

Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said she would research the matter and report back to council on whether or not the outdoor use of portable grills and hibachis is permitted.