NEW! Welcome to the Borough of Bath year-in-review webpage! This webpage will be designated for year-in-review highlights, offering a look into Borough operations over the past year. Highlights will center on Parks & Recreation, Parking & Code Enforcement, Public Works, Front Office, and Financial Administration.
PARKS & RECREATION
The Public Works Department has been building off successes in 2021 to continue turning a corner with the Borough’s Park network. The Public Works crew has been instrumental in developing walking trail concepts that will be interconnected with each park. Through the hard work of the Northampton County Park & Recreation Department, the Nor-Bath Trail will have a trailhead near the Water Authority off Mill Street. This will open tremendous possibilities for the future of Park & Recreation activity in the Borough, especially near Ciff Cowling Park.
In 2023, the Borough is conducting a Master Park Improvement Plan. More information to follow!
FRONT OFFICE – CITIZENS SERVICES
The Borough spent the Covid era retooling its front office to become more efficient and user friendly with the public. The Borough partnered with OpenGov, a cloud-based, citizens services platform that enables a self-service interface for completing such tasks as filing a zoning/building permit application, business license, complete a park rental, and tracking Borough’s Rental Licensing and Inspection program. The cloud-based system also tracks the Borough’s Parking & Code Enforcement, citizen complaints, and Public Works activities.
The page below represents the number of records entered on the citizens services platform since it was launched in February of 2022. This system, being a self-help station, tendered application fees and has the ability to issue out permits to customers without having to stop by the Borough Office. This reduces foyer time and speeds up responsiveness from the Borough to you, as a customer.
PARKING & CODE ENFORCEMENT
The following information provides an overview of Parking & Code Enforcement activities in two main areas: 1) Parking Tickets, and 2) Quality of Life Tickets. The information below does not represent the number of building/zoning permits reviewed or issued. The information does not contain code/ordinance investigations data.
In 2022, the most cited offense for Parking violations was vehicles parked in public or private areas without a Current Vehicle Inspection. Please remember to have your vehicle properly inspected if parked on Borough streets or on private property. If necessary, you should store your vehicle in a garage or out of plain sight if it cannot be inspected.
In 2022, the most cited offense for Quality-of-Life issues was for Weeds and Grass. Please remember to have your grass trimmed below ten inches (10″) and DO NOT allow grass clippings to remain on sidewalks and/or the street.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The OpenGov system has allowed the Borough to more accurately represent Public Works activities. The Department completes a daily activity report through the system. These reports are compiled over time to analyze where the Borough may want to increase or decrease work outputs.
The report below accounts for roughly half the year, since around June of 2022. Staffing levels have changed with the Public Works Department; in 2022, the Department had 4 full-time employees and at the start of 2023 the Department is now staffed with 3 full-time members and 1 part-time member.
Larger road projects are handled by independent contractors, this will be noted on the last page of the report.
The Borough does contract with a professional landscaping company to keep the approximate 34 acres of open grass space in the Borough’s park network mowed. This keeps the Borough agile to complete more in-house road repair/repaving projects, storm sewer work, and to be responsive to unscheduled work orders or maintenance tasks that arise.
FINANCIAL ADMININSTRATION
The Fiscal Snapshot Report of the Borough’s Major Funds is included below. This report examines the 6 major funds of the Borough, including the 2022 year-end reconciliation summary balance. The ‘Fund,’ ‘Reconciled Balanced as of 12/31/2022,’ and a ‘Fund Notation’ will accompany the 6 major funds.
The report is a ‘snapshot’ meaning, the financial condition of the Borough at a point in time. While the Borough has fund balances (cash remaining after all bills paid as of 12/31/2022), some funds cannot be transferred to resolve deficits of other funds, if a deficit exists.
Additionally, fund balances (cash left in the checking account so to speak) must be held at minimum levels required to ensure the Borough can keep meeting its debt and liability obligations each month.
