BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A City Council majority voted down an adjustment to the proposed 2026 city budget that would have allowed for adding four new firefighter positions.
A recent study from International Association of Fire Fighters Local 735, the Bethlehem department’s collective bargaining unit representing more than 100 personnel, shows a fire force facing an uptick in calls, along with several vacancies and overtime.
At the apex of a 5 1/2-hour meeting Thursday, the panel voted 2-5 — with Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith and Councilman Bryan Callahan supporting Crampsie Smith’s proposed amendments…