MANY ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING TAMAQUA’S BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING (April 15, 2014); VIDEO

Numerous items were discussed during Tuesday’s (April 15, 2014) Tamaqua Borough Council meeting held at the Borough Hall. Like all meetings, residents are encouraged to attend and speak during the meeting.
Attending the meeting were Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver, Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison, Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, Solicitor Michael Greek, secretary Georgia Depos DeWire, Council President Micah Gursky and councilmen Dave Mace, Brian Connely, Tom Cara, Kerry Dowd, and Dan Evans.
Some topics and discussions included:
Prior to the start of the meeting, s (Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center of Schuylkill County) board members Jennifer Drake and Christine Verdier spoke about their 4th Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2014 in Pottsville. In support of the cause, Tamaqua Councilmen wore women’s shoes throughout the meeting. For more information, Click HERE to read yesterday’s related TamaquaArea.com story.
Items discussed during the meeting included:
– Communications from Tamaqua’s New Life Assembly of God Feed the Need Program set for Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 10 AM to 1 PM. It reads: “This free event will provide food, clothing, haircuts and lunch to 100 families/households in Tamaqua. The purpose for this event is to reach out to our community in a practical way, especially during these difficult times. We will be handing out bags of groceries. For lunch, we would like to offer hot dogs, chips and drinks. There will also be several games for the kids while our Blessing Shoppe is open to the families.” The letters also asks the Tamaqua Borough for the use of the Tamaqua Fire Police, dependent upon availability. Click HERE to view the letter.
– Communications from Margaret Marino announcing her retirement after being employed 33 years as Tamaqua’s Housing Finance and Rehabilitation Officer. Her last day will be June 1st, 2014. Members of the council praised her for her hard work and dedication to the borough and the program.
– Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt mentioned that the borough will start posting street cleaner signs next week.
– Steigerwalt also spoke about a Schuylkill Keep It Pretty (SKIP) Spring Community Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, April 26, April 26, 9 a.m. to noon. All groups will meet at the Tamaqua M & T Bank Lot. Garbage bags, gloves and safety vests will be provided.
– The council approved Bud Comisac’s position as meter reader. This was a few days prior to the end of the 30-day probation period. The motion was approved as long as no major issues occur til then.
– Steigerwalt and Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison talked about the importance of borough residents and businesses to clean their sidewalks, porches and yards. Morrison asked that code enforcement does random “blitzes” of all areas in the borough.
– Weaver noted to the councilmen that the county is converting from analog to digital radios. He estimated that they might have to change over in the next year or so. This would require 5 new mobile and 10 new portable radios with a total cost of about $65,000.
– Dan Evans, chairperson, Parking and Traffic Committee, made a motion to install no parking signs on the north and south sides of Orwigsburg Street (between Hunter and Cherry Streets).
– Evans made a motion to eliminate the Loading/Unloading Zone in front of 30 West Broad Street and replace it with a metered parking space and to establish a Loading/Unloading Zone with 30-minute parking in front of 46 West Broad Street (Reigel Herbert T. Plumbing). It was approved.
– Evans made a motion to approve handicap parking at 300 North Elizabeth Street. It was approved.
– Evans made a motion to keep handicap parking at 32 North Greenwood Street. It was approved.
– Dave Mace, chairperson, Recreation and Youth Committee, read correspondence from Tara Goho with Tamaqua/Panther Valley Area Girls Scouts requesting the use of the bungalow pool before normal hours on July 18 and 19, 2014 for their day camp. It was approved.
– Mace made a motion to approve a one-year Lease Agreement with Salute LLC (300 East Broad Street, Tamaqua) for the Pool Concession Stand. It was passed with amendment that the agreement contain a personal guarantee clause.
– Motions to hire part-time lifeguards were not acted upon and are expected to be brought up next meeting.
– Michele Mehallic brought to attention to the councilmen the lack of proper dress attire children and adults are wearing at the South Ward Playground. Gursky said Mehallic (who serves on the South Ward Playground Committee) can work with other committee members and the borough solicitor to make and post dress codes for the playground.
– Morrison spoke about a new Tamaqua community collaborative called “Dear Tamaqua”. Click HERE to view a related TamaquaArea.com story. Click HERE to view a related Times News story. Morrison also read the first letter titled “Dirt and Pride” given to the project by Tamaqua native Vince Suzadail Jr. of Summit Hill. To submit your Tamaqua story, photo, video, artwork or facts, visit www.DearTamaqua.com.
– Reports accepted were fire chief, code enforcement officer, zoning officer, chief of police, tax collector, treasurer, board of health, and rehabilitation.