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Rachel Leon made history as she was elected council president in a unanimous vote, setting the stage for a new era of leadership and diversity in Bethlehem.

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Bethlehem council swears in new members; Rachel Leon elected council president, Colleen Laird vice president
At an organizational meeting, the City of Bethlehem swore in newly elected officials, then elected Rachel Leon council president (7–0) and Colleen Laird vice president (4–3). Judges administered oaths and the council immediately proceeded to routine votes and initial remarks.
citizenportal.ai
January 8, 2026 at 4:21 PM
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Residents are raising alarms about lead in drinking water, especially for vulnerable dialysis patients, as the city promises in-home testing and a potential rollout of smart-meter apps by 2026.

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Residents ask about lead and smart-meter apps; water department offers on-site testing and a 2026–2027 app timeline
A resident raised concerns about lead in drinking water and dialysis patients’ vulnerability; the water director said customers can request in-home lead testing and that the city is vetting consumer-facing meters/apps with a possible rollout between 2026 and 2027.
citizenportal.ai
December 24, 2025 at 3:12 AM
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Bethlehem's Council just passed the 2026 budget, but not without heated debates on public safety and funding for firefighters—what’s next for the community?

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Council passes 2026 budget package and event/use permits; roll-call outcomes and key items
Council adopted the 2026 general fund and multiple utility, capital and grant budgets and approved event use permits and facility certificates; most budget ordinances passed 5–2 with two council members dissenting consistently.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
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Bethlehem's City Council just passed a controversial budget amidst heated debates over firefighter staffing, raising serious questions about public safety and funding priorities.

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Council approves 2026 general fund after heated debate over firefighter staffing; two members vote no
Council passed the general fund budget 5–2 amid sustained criticism that the administration did not allocate roughly $331,000 to restore four firefighter positions; union leaders and firefighters urged council to treat staffing as a public safety, not solely labor, issue.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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Chaos erupted during the clearing of homeless encampments in Bethlehem, sparking heated debates about the city’s support and the safety of those displaced.

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Residents and service providers clash with city over Norfolk Southern encampment clearing; administration cites housing connections
After a private contractor and Norfolk Southern cleared encampments in mid-December, residents and volunteers described limited on-site resources and risky relocations; city staff say outreach connected most people to services and outline multi-million-dollar shelter projects in progress.
citizenportal.ai
December 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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In a heated debate lasting over five hours, Bethlehem council members voted down crucial amendments to fund four firefighter positions, leaving public safety in jeopardy as the city opts for a slower plan.

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Bethlehem council defeats multiple last-minute budget moves to add four firefighters
After more than five hours of public comment and legal debate, council rejected several proposed amendments that would have funded four temporary firefighter positions by cutting other line items or raising taxes; legal limits on fee-funded positions and uncertainty about grant timing figured centrally.
citizenportal.ai
December 10, 2025 at 8:06 AM
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Bethlehem residents are demanding action as the fire department operates with nearly half its staff—will the city finally address this critical shortage?

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Residents and firefighters press Bethlehem council to add personnel amid staffing shortfalls
Public commenters and union leaders urged Bethlehem City Council to add firefighters to the 2026 budget after multiple speakers said the department is operating well below established staffing levels; speakers called for short‑term hires and use of SAFER grants.
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December 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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The Bethlehem Finance Committee received glowing news as auditors confirmed the city's 2024 financial statements are in impeccable shape, but they also issued key recommendations for improvement.

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Bethlehem finance committee hears 2024 audit; auditors issue unmodified opinion and two best-practice recommendations
Auditors told the Bethlehem Finance Committee the city's 2024 financial statements received an unmodified opinion and that three major federal programs reviewed under the single-audit had no material issues; auditors recommended reviewing sewer-administration charges and tightening P-card approval documentation.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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Bethlehem's police chief reveals a staffing crisis that’s straining patrols and driving up overtime costs, while innovative civilian roles promise to ease the burden on officers.

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Bethlehem Police outlines staffing shortfall, creates dedicated IT and analyst roles
Chief Cott told council the department is authorized for 154 officers but has 16 vacancies and 11 unavailable for duty; leadership converted two vacant sworn slots into a dedicated police IT technician and an intelligence analyst to reduce officers’ non‑police workload and improve operations.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 2:20 AM
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Amid rising overtime and urgent calls for more firefighters, tensions flare as union leaders clash with city officials over immediate hiring needs versus a long-term staffing study.

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Firefighters, union and council clash over immediate hires vs. external study as overtime and retirements spike
Chief Griffin described capital needs and recent academy classes; firefighters and union representatives demanded immediate hires after the department reported about 10 recent retirements/terminations and months of mandated overtime, while the mayor and administration urged a 2026 staffing study to guide sustainable hiring and grant applications.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 1:31 AM
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Bethlehem's proposed 2026 budget, fueled by 96% grants and fees, sets the stage for transformative public health, affordable housing, and economic revitalization initiatives!

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Bethlehem presents grant‑driven 2026 community and economic development budget; ARPA civic accounts remain central
Director Collins told council the department’s $16M‑plus proposed budget is driven by grants and fees (about 96%), highlighted programs for public health, homelessness prevention, and economic revitalization, and described ARPA‑funded civic expense accounts that continue to underwrite affordable housing, homelessness projects and the Community Recovery Fund.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 12:43 AM
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Bethlehem residents and firefighters are sounding the alarm over dangerously low staffing levels, urging the City Council to take immediate action before it's too late.

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Bethlehem residents and firefighters press council to increase staffing as 2026 budget moves forward
Dozens of residents, many current and former firefighters, urged Bethlehem City Council to restore fire-department staffing and reduce mandatory overtime; council held a budget first reading that passed 5–2 and acknowledged both short-term funding questions and a city-commissioned staffing study due next summer.
citizenportal.ai
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 AM
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Bethlehem's proposed 2026 budget reveals a $244 million plan that leans heavily on real estate and earned income taxes while aiming to avoid new borrowing by using reserves and ARPA funds.

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Bethlehem reviews 2026 budget; administration highlights real‑estate, EIT growth, pensions and ARPA strategy
City administrators presented a $244 million set of funds and a general‑fund plan that leans on property tax and earned‑income tax growth, one‑time grant and escrow uses, and a debt strategy that uses reserves and ARPA dollars to avoid new borrowing. Council pressed for details on lost‑revenue reimbursements and development incentives.
citizenportal.ai
November 14, 2025 at 9:08 PM
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Bethlehem's Public Works is gearing up for a transformative 2026 with a $5 million paving budget, new stormwater initiatives, and ambitious city upgrades!

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Public Works requests larger paving and stormwater budgets; city plans increased in‑house paving
Public Works told council it plans a $5 million paving program in 2026, boosted in‑house paving capacity, will spend more on stormwater projects (including detention basin work) and is coordinating federally funded safety projects on Broad Street.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 7:05 AM
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Bethlehem's finance team has unveiled a bold $22 million capital plan that could revolutionize funding without adding new debt—saving taxpayers from hefty interest costs.

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Bethlehem proposes $22M four‑year capital plan paid from reserves and Act 42 receipts to avoid new debt
Finance staff outlined a four‑year $22 million capital plan they say can be funded without issuing new bonds by using a $10.7M capital reserve escrow, roughly $11.3M in cash balances and recurring Act 42 host‑fee receipts (~$1.5M/year). Officials said avoiding debt would save interest and shorten future debt service burdens.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 6:41 AM
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Bethlehem's Water and Sewer Department is seeking nearly $69 million for crucial infrastructure upgrades, including addressing aging meters and lead service lines, while preparing for potential rate increases.

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Bethlehem details 2026 water and sewer budgets; PUC rate case planned, lead‑line work to continue
The city’s water and sewer departments presented a $69 million combined budget for 2026, highlighting aging infrastructure, a planned PUC rate case, a six‑year AMI meter rollout and a federal timeline to identify and replace lead service lines by 2037.
citizenportal.ai
November 13, 2025 at 6:20 AM
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Cigar Page Bethlehem LLC is one step closer to bringing an upscale cigar bar and restaurant to Harvard Avenue, promising a unique blend of fine dining and premium cigars.

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Council recommends transfer of restaurant liquor license to proposed Cigar Page Bethlehem at 1010 Harvard Ave.
After a public hearing, Bethlehem City Council voted 5–1 to recommend transferring Pennsylvania restaurant liquor license R61034 to Cigar Page Bethlehem LLC, a proposed cigar bar and restaurant at 1010 Harvard Avenue. The council’s recommendation is conditional on later approval by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; councilors questioned smoke‑
citizenportal.ai
November 7, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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A recent study reveals that Bethlehem's fire department is critically understaffed and struggling to meet national response time standards, raising alarms about community safety.

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Union-backed study says Bethlehem Fire Department falls short of NFPA benchmarks; committee hears budget memo
A union-commissioned GIS and response study presented to the Bethlehem City Council Public Safety Committee found the department does not meet NFPA 1710 travel-time and staffing benchmarks, recommends increasing per-shift staffing from about 18 to 31, and proposes a new station near Linden and East Gepp. The administration read a memo saying an RFP
citizenportal.ai
October 31, 2025 at 6:08 AM
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Mayor Reynolds reveals a significant drop in unsheltered individuals on Norfolk Southern property, highlighting successful outreach efforts that have led many to seek housing assistance.

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Mayor says outreach reduced Norfolk Southern encampment count from 75 to 53; many accept offers of assistance
Mayor Reynolds reported outreach to people living on Norfolk Southern property: city and nonprofits reduced the estimated population from 75 in September to 53 at a recent count; many have accepted housing assistance or moved on, while a portion remain uninterested in offers.
citizenportal.ai
October 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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The future of the Martin Tower site hangs in the balance as council members weigh the potential for rental housing against financial hurdles and lost tax revenue.

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Council debate focuses on Martin Tower site: LERTA, lost tax revenue and feasibility concerns
Council members and the mayor discussed whether tax incentives (LERTA) should be targeted to the Martin Tower site to spur housing and whether the city is losing revenue while the site remains undeveloped; officials cited financing, construction costs and recent tax-credit awards elsewhere.
citizenportal.ai
October 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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Exciting developments are on the horizon for Bethlehem as the city unveils plans for a new family shelter, an emergency shelter, and a community center, all aimed at enhancing local support and engagement!

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City outlines funding and next steps for shelters and South Bethlehem Community Center in capital plan
Administration described three community and economic development projects in the CIP: a fully funded non-congregate family shelter at Packer Avenue with Lehigh Conference of Churches, a congregate emergency shelter partnership with Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering, and plans to identify an operator for a South Bethlehem Community Center on a Mechanc
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October 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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Exciting updates are on the horizon for Bethlehem as the capital plan reveals major investments in city facilities, parks, and the much-anticipated 40-in-10 parks study!

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Facilities and parks projects highlighted in Bethlehems capital plan, including 40-in-10 parks study and Rose Garden work
Staff described facility maintenance investments, City Hall chiller replacement, an Eastern Avenue fire station study for apparatus storage, and continued implementation of the 40-in-10 parks and recreation plan including Rose Garden improvements.
citizenportal.ai
October 25, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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Exciting changes are coming to Bethlehem with major street conversions, stormwater upgrades, and new trails all planned in the 2026–2030 capital improvement plan!

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Bethlehem public works details street conversions, paving program, stormwater upgrades and trail work in CIP
Public works staff outlined planned projects including Linden and Center Street two-way conversions, street overlay funding and equipment purchases, stormwater detention projects coordinated with Bethlehem Township, and construction phases for the South Bethlehem Greenway and Menonkassie Way Trail.
citizenportal.ai
October 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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Bethlehem's fire and police departments are unveiling ambitious plans for critical vehicle and equipment upgrades, with a staggering $2 million replacement cost looming for air packs by 2030.

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Bethlehem proposes vehicle and equipment replacements for fire and police in 2026 capital plan
Fire and police departments outlined planned replacements and repurposing of apparatus and vehicles, an estimated future replacement cost of air packs, and an expansion of public-safety cameras funded partly through a grant.
citizenportal.ai
October 25, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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Bethlehem officials unveiled an ambitious 2026–2030 capital improvement plan that promises to reshape the city's future, but only the 2026 budget will face a vote this year.

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Committee reviews City of Bethlehem 2026–2030 capital improvement plan; no vote taken
City officials presented the draft 2026–2030 capital improvement plan to the Committee of the Whole for informational review. Planning Commission recommended adoption; council will consider the 2026 non-utility capital budget during November and December budget hearings.
citizenportal.ai
October 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM