Hellertown accepts $100K Muschlitz bequest, sets yard‑waste pickup for June 22

The Hellertown Borough Council moved through a packed agenda its May 18 meeting. The borough formally accepted a $100,000 bequest earmarked for Dimmick Park and announced spring yard waste collection information.

$100,000 Muschlitz Bequest for Dimmick Park

The headline item of the night thanked the Estate of Benjamin and Sandra Muschlitz for a $100,000 bequest to the borough. Under the resolution, the funds are designated for the Parks Department to purchase “decorative, usable items” for Dimmick Park, including benches, tables and ornamental fixtures–anything that improves accessibility, comfort, and aesthetic appeal.

Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft told council the estate placed one condition on the gift: the money cannot be spent on playground equipment.

“The estate has donated $100,000 to Dimmick Park beautification, exclusive of playground equipment,” Hartranft said. “That was the only caveat there. So we’ve actually opened up an account, the money is in there, and we’ll be wanting to discuss further with council.”

Benjamin “Ben” Muschlitz, who died in January 2024, was mayor of Hellertown in the mid-1990s. His wife Sandra Muschlitz, who died in September of last year, was active in numerous Hellertown and Saucon Valley area organizations.

Spring Yard Waste Collection: June 22

The borough will conduct its community-wide curbside yard waste collection during the week of June 22, generally following the regular trash schedule. Residents should set out material the evening before their normal pickup day.

Yard waste must be bundled with string, placed in biodegradable paper bags (no plastic bags will be collected), or otherwise contained, and must be light enough for a single employee to lift into the truck.

Only the following will be accepted:

• Leaves
• Small brush up to four inches in diameter and no longer than six feet
• Hedge trimmings
• Garden plant residue

Grass, sod, tree stumps or any commercial business material will not be accepted.

The borough’s Yard Waste Compost Center at 2011 Springtown Hill Road is open Saturdays through June 12, then Fridays and Saturdays–except July 4 and 5–from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 21. Mulch is only available on Saturdays.

The borough has already posted the schedule on Facebook and will be emailing the announcement to residents subscribed to its email list.

2026 Road Paving Contract Awarded

Council awarded the 2026 road paving project to the apparent low bidder, Bracalente Construction Inc., at $135,775.10. Hartranft told council all of the contractor’s paperwork was in order.

Public Works Director Barry Yonney noted Hellertown has had “very good” experiences with them in the past.

The motion to accept the bid passed unanimously.

186 Main Street: PennDOT Sticking Point Resolved

Council took two votes on the 186 Main Street project, where the former Coldwell Banker building is being redeveloped into a five-unit apartment building.

The hang-up had been with PennDOT, which required the developer to keep a clear line-of-sight triangle at the driveway–a condition that originally looked like it would cost the property a street parking spot or two. Council originally granted conditional approval in February with the caveat that the applicant return to PennDOT and try to work it out.

Two pieces of new information moved the project forward, councilman Larry O’Donnell explained: one of the disputed parking spots was painted in at some point but isn’t actually supposed to be there, and the planned redevelopment of the nearby Rite Aid site will likely return one space to the block because the new design eliminates the drive-thru entry and exit.

The Hellertown Planning Commission recommended that the project move forward. Council approved both the time extension and the revised conditional approval based on PennDOT’s sign-off.

Reinhard’s Park Payout & Update

Council approved payment for Grace Industries in the amount of $96,552.29 for ongoing work at Reinhard’s Park. “It’s performance-based,” Hartranft said. “It’s based on the items that were completed and inspected.”

“How’s everything looking down there?” councilwoman Gail Nolf asked. “It looks beautiful,” Hartranft replied. “And the little pagoda thing–that’s gorgeous,” Nolf added.

“Every time I go by there, it’s been filled with people,” council president Lynley Solt said. “It’s so nice to see how much people are enjoying it.”

The next Hellertown Borough Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.