Main Street Flag Idea Gathers Momentum

A proposal that would allow local businesses and residents to sponsor the purchase of $50 American flag sets for the adornment of utility poles in downtown Hellertown was at the Oct. 13 meeting of the Borough Business Revitalization Committee.

Although details of the plan are not yet finalized, committee members liked the idea of beginning the effort by focusing on a three-block section of Main Street from Penn Street north to Hampton Avenue.

Borough Manager Cathy Kichline noted that it will be important to hang the flags at a height that's "just right."

If they're hung too low they could be damaged by vehicular traffic, but if they're hung too high visitors may not notice them.

It was estimated that about 30 flag sets--each of which will include a flag, a bracket and a pole--will be needed to fully decorate the three blocks.

"They are American-made flags," Borough Business coordinator Mary Himmelberger said, adding that the flags would most likely be purchased from Rileighs Outdoor Decor in Allentown.

Committee members also discussed the idea of allowing businesses to sponsor an entire block of Main Street if they so choose.

If the plan moves forward, the goal will be to have the flags hung by Memorial Day. They will then remain in place throughout the summer, until after Labor Day.

Hellertown Borough councilman Tom Rieger suggested recognizing families and businesses who donate money for a flag set with a special page on the borough's website.

The page could be designed to resemble "sort of...a digital plaque," he said.

Flags could be donated in memory of someone, and the donor might also receive a certificate of appreciation.

Himmelberger said she does not anticipate problems getting permission from PPL to hang the flags from their poles along Main Street.

In other business at the meeting, Kichline suggested the idea of community members "adopting" the I-78/Route 412 interchange at the north end of the borough.

The area around the interchange has become quite littered and, as a gateway to the borough, does a poor job of representing Hellertown in its current state, she said.

According to Kichline, a PennDOT program would provide volunteers with the safety vests, garbage bags and other materials necessary to stage a clean-up four times per year.

"We just need the labor," she said.

Himmelberger said she would discuss the idea with Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce members in the near future.

"They can reach out to (chamber) members in town," she noted.

Finally, committee members also decided to change their monthly meeting time to 8:30am on the second Thursday of the month.

Instead of meeting at , the next meeting will be held at the new in Hellertown.

That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10. No meeting will be held in December, on account of the holidays.