NUMEROUS ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING TAMAQUA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 17, 2014; (VIDEO)

Numerous topics were discussed during Tamaqua Borough Council’s regular public meeting held yesterday, Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at the borough hall.
Like all meetings, residents were 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 S. Greek, secretary Georgia Depos DeWire, Council President Micah Gursky and councilmen Dave Mace, Tom Cara, Kerry Dowd-Lasky, Justin Startzel and Dan Evans. Not present was Brian Connely.
(Page down further to see photos and video.)
Dave Mace, Chairperson, Recreation and Youth Committee, started the meeting recognizing Tamaqua’s Spring District XI Champions. (see photos and video below)
Below is a simple list of actions that occurred during the meeting (page down further to view photos and a video of the meeting):
– Correspondence was read concerning National Night Out (Pine Street) and the Tamaqua Salvation Army’s Kidz Karnival (North Railroad Street parking lot) set for August 5, 2014.
– Correspondence was read concerning the American Hose Festival set for August 1 to 3, 2014. That part of Pine Street will be closed – starting the night of July 31, 2014.
– Correspondence was read concerning the retirement of borough employee David (Dave) Lesniak – as of June 11, 2014.
– Correspondence was read concerning a letter from Service Electric regarding new rates. (see photos).
– Scout leaders Steve and Laurie Daynarowicz were on-hand during correspondence read asking if the Black Rock District of Boy Scouts could use the Owl Creek Reservoir for a District Jamboree on September 26-28, 2014. They said this would be their first jamboree in about ten years. It was approved, upon confirmation with the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission. (see video).
– 2 resolutions were approved by the council for various grants.
– Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt stated that he is awaiting for allocation of CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) funds prior to scheduling the next CDBG public hearing.
– Steigerwalt said he has posted an in-house position for borough mechanic.
– Steigerwalt said the water treatment plant position is still vacant. He added that the position requires the applicant to already possess a water sewer plant license (usually 2-3 years training).
– Frank Kane, member, Tamaqua Zoning Board, stated the options of making variances more lenient for Tamaqua residents and businesses. Correspondence regarding ESRP discussed. (see photos and video)
– Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver stated that their department will no longer utilize a speed control sign/device they currently have on free-loan. He added that finances are needed elsewhere in the department, to include computer software upgrades.
– Kerry Lasky, Chairperson, Equipment and Building Committee, made a motion to accept a proposal from JW General Contracting of Tamaqua in the amount of $5,658.00 to install new 30-year shingles on the magistrate building. It was approved.
– Dan Evans, member, Public Safety Committee, made a motion to approve proposals from MetroAlert and Dark Mountain Technologies totaling $15,635.90 for new computer equipment and software for the police department. It was approved.
– Dan Evans, Chairperson, Parking and Traffic Committee, made a motion to approve handicapped parking space application for Joseph E. Motika of 210 Pitt Street. It was approved.
– Justin Startzel, Chairperson, Neighborhoods-Downtown-Historical Society Committee, made motions to approve the following items:
—— 1. Motion to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the construction of a ramp, façade changes, and window installations at 119-123 West Broad Street. It was approved.
—— 2. Motion to approve a certificate of an addition and ramp at 117 South Greenwood Street. It was approved.
—— 3. Motion to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of a banner at 18 North Railroad Street. It was approved.
—— 4. Motion to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of 13 South Lehigh Street and the siding of the adjacent building. It was approved.
—— 5. Motion to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of 252 West Cottage Avenue and the siding of the adjacent building. It was approved.
– Dave Mace, Chairperson, Recreation and Youth Committee, made a motion to accept a proposal from Pioneer Pole Building Inc. of Schuylkill Haven in the amount of $11,620 to build a storage building at the Lower Owl Creek Dam. It was approved.
– Mace made a motion to accept a proposal from Storage Solutions by SnyderLLC of New Ringgold in the amount of $1,985 to build a ticket booth at the Lower Owl Creek Dam. It was approved.
– Various community members talked about the condition and future of the old CVS building on East Broad Street. (see video)
– Various community members talked about a dumpster staged near the South Ward Playground. (see video)
– Various community members talked about the growing stray cat population in Tamaqua. Borough discussed option of cat ordinance. Nothing was passed. (see video)
– Mayor Chris Morrison talked read a “Dear Tamaqua” letter. (see video)
– Morrison praised the Tamaqua Police Department regarding their recent drug raid that netted 17 individuals. In addition, Startzel made a motion to provide certificate of appreciations to all of those involved. Motion was approved.
– Morrison talked about vandalism (to include the tipping of port-a-potties). (see video)
– Council members talked about a second wave of police cameras. Some of which will be located at various parks, as well as dual-facing cameras at 4 entry and exit points in Tamaqua on US209 and SR309.
– Motion was made to hire Robyn Rex as Tamaqua Borough utility worker at $13/hr. It was approved.
– After an executive session, a motion was made to hire Bobbi Jean Muffley as Tamaqua Borough assistant secretary at $13.50/hr. It was approved.