Hellertown Presents Grant Applications to Gaming Authority

Hellertown borough officials presented their applications for the 2011 round of restricted gaming grants before the Northampton County Gaming Revenue and Economic Redevelopment Authority Aug. 22.

As with all grant application presenters, Hellertown was given eight minutes to discuss each of its applications, with a seven minute time limit for follow up questions from authority members.

Bryan Smith, an engineer with Barry Isett & Associates, Inc., presented the authority with the borough’s application for stamped crosswalks and traffic calming measures at Main Street and Cherry Lane.

Smith told the authority that there have been some pedestrian accidents in the borough, including some fatal accidents. In addition, he said that approximately 20 percent of Hellertown’s population is elderly, while another 20 percent is under the age of 18--the two groups most likely to walk.

In the past year, there has also been a three percent increase in traffic, which may or may not be attributable to the casino. The extra traffic increases the possibility of a pedestrian-related accident.

Smith said that with a stamped crosswalk, motorists would be more likely to see and slow down for pedestrians.

In addition, he said a stamped crosswalk is better than one that has painted lines because it is recessed in the asphalt, which allows it to last longer.

As for traffic calming at Main Street and Cherry Lane, Smith explained that traffic calming is defined as slowing or reducing traffic.

He said the traffic calming measures proposed would reduce speeds, increase driver awareness, and allow for safer pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

The calming measures would include curbline bump outs, street trees, a stamped crosswalk and an overhead arch.

Smith said the bump outs, trees and arch would visually help narrow the street, resulting in drivers reducing their speed. He said the curb bump outs would also produce a shorter crosswalk for pedestrians.

Authority member Tom Nolan questioned the use of the arch, saying that it was the most expensive part of the application and that he doesn’t feel that it would calm traffic.

Smith said the arch would reduce truck speed.

Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told the gaming authority that from the first six months of 2010 to the first six months of 2011, there has been a 23 percent increase in arrests, a 55 percent increase in criminal incidents and a 36 percent increase in service calls in the borough.

Shupp said that although the statistical increases aren’t as dramatic as when the casino opened, he attributes the increase in arrests to the two full-time officers which funding from a previous gaming grant allowed the borough to hire.

He spoke highly of the two officers and told the authority that Hellertown is hoping to receive grant money to pay for their salaries and benefits for the next year (Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 2012).

Authority members questioned whether any borough money was budgeted for the two officers. Shupp explained that if Hellertown does not receive grant money, the borough will not be able to retain them.

In addition, Hellertown is also applying for a grant for a new police vehicle and Toughbook laptops, which would allow officers to work from their vehicles, making them more visible to the public.

Shupp said that the more police are visible, the less likely residents are to commit crimes. Increased police visibility also makes residents feel safer, he added.

Hellertown Fire Chief Rick Delmore explained Hellertown’s application for Storz adapters (fire hose adapters) for the borough’s 175 fire hydrants. Delmore said the adapters would allow responders to save time when connecting hoses to the hydrants.

He also explained that since traffic has gone up (possibly due to the casino), the fire department’s response time to calls has increased by a minute-and-a-half, to two minutes above the state average.

To reiterate the importance of response time, he told the authority that new research shows that every minute a fire continues to burn, it quadruples in size.

In addition to more traffic, Delmore said there has been a 35 percent increase in vehicle fires.

Hellertown is also applying for a grant to buy a gas meter, which could be useful in many emergency situations including car fires.