Norfolk Southern has notified the city it wants people cleared from its property along Bethlehem railroad tracks in December, city officials and local service providers told the City Council at a public meeting where residents and outreach workers pressed for more time and clearer plans. Council members and staff said they are coordinating with shelters and outreach groups but that the railroad controls timing on private property.

The issue surfaced in public comment when Mark Riddle, executive director of New Bethany Inc., called for a short-term solution and continued dialogue: "I believe that it's unfortunate that Norfolk Southern has taken the position that they have. But I do, however, appreciate that we have a few months to get to a solution," Riddle said.

Why it matters: The city and nonprofit partners said many people living in the encampments have been in regular contact with outreach teams and that each person’s needs differ; advocates warned that a removal in deep winter could put people at risk and urged Norfolk Southern to delay. City staff said Norfolk Southern set the December date and that police and Community Connections have asked the railroad to push the timing as far out as possible to allow placements and shelter openings.

What officials and outreach groups said: Councilwoman Leon said city staff and the Bethlehem Police Department have repeatedly asked Norfolk Southern to delay enforcement and that the company "picked December. This was not the first time that anybody from the city has had conversations in Norfolk Southern." She said those conversations included requests to allow time for winter shelter openings.

City staff described ongoing casework by Community Connections and partner organizations to determine each person's interest in shelter, Medicaid eligibility and other supports. A staff member summarized the operation: "It's about asking those basic questions. What percentage of people want to go to BES? Are they able to access Medicaid? What are their long-term prospects?" The administration said it is meeting with local providers this week to identify gaps and potential short-term funding or shelter options.

Advocates and residents said the announced December date — referenced specifically by several speakers as mid-December — risks leaving people exposed in winter. Valerie Noonan, a resident and public commenter, said the evictions are scheduled for December 15 and noted the city’s emergency shelter schedule: "The eviction is scheduled for December 15, which is a month and a half after emergency shelters open for the winter," she said, adding that some people nevertheless do not use shelters.

Service providers’ view: Mark Riddle of New Bethany and Brian Hillard of Serve To Aid and Restore (STAR) described regular outreach and said many people in the encampment are engaged with caseworkers. Hillard said: "People need spaces to live. Bethlehem needs to find space both physically and bureaucratically to give our neighbors spaces to live." Riddle and other providers said they will continue placement work and thanked the city for cooperating.

Limitations and next steps: City officials and the solicitor said municipal options are limited when a private company enforces its property rights. Solicitor John F. Burke Jr. and other staff emphasized that Norfolk Southern controls dates on private property; the city can coordinate services but cannot unilaterally stop the railroad’s enforcement. The administration said it will intensify outreach, seek grant and short-term funding options, and continue talks with Norfolk Southern about assistance and timing.

No formal action was taken by the council at the meeting. Council members asked for continuing updates and suggested potential committee follow-ups to examine the resources needed to support people affected by the railroad’s timeline.

Ending: Officials urged residents and service providers to keep sharing information with Community Connections and the police so the city can prioritize placements and report back to council as plans develop. "If we have other potential resources or specific funding asks," the mayor said, "we will bring them forward," but he reiterated that Norfolk Southern’s timeline and private-property rights limit what the city can do unilaterally.