Vintage Borough Street Signs Up for Grabs

A rare opportunity to obtain a unique piece of Hellertown history is currently available to local residents, it was announced at Tuesday's Borough Council meeting.

As a result of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) requirements, the borough is currently in the process of replacing hundreds of its vintage metal street signs with highly reflective green and white street signs, which will be easier for motorists to read.

The vintage street signs--instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with the borough--are being sold to area residents for $10 a piece on a first come, first served basis, council president Phil Weber explained.

Anyone interested in purchasing a sign may call the borough office at 610-838-7041 or stop by the office to fill out a form, on which they may indicate a preference by street name.

Several unique directional signs, such as one which has pointed Main Street motorists in the direction of Lost River Caverns for decades, are being donated to the businesses or institutions they have long identified, Weber said.

These signs will not be replaced, because PennDOT now prohibits directional signs on top of street signs, even on local streets, Borough Manager Charlie Luthar said.

Council member Mike McKenna told his colleagues that the Saucon Valley Community Center has asked if any left over vintage street signs can be donated to their organization, for use in conjunction with a future fundraiser.

Public Works Director Tom Henshaw said the decision to replace the signs was the direct result of a PennDOT directive.

"We're talking $15,000 worth of new signs because of an unfunded mandate by PennDOT," he said.

Borough Financial Administrator Tina Krasnansky said individuals who would like more information about the sign purchase program may call the borough office.

Council set a tentative deadline of Feb. 1 for wrap-up of the sign resale initiative.