NUMEROUS ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING TAMAQUA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING ON JULY 15, 2014; (VIDEO)

Numerous topics were discussed during Tamaqua Borough Council’s regular public meeting held Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at the borough hall.
Like all meetings, residents were encouraged to attend and speak during the meeting.
Officials attending the meeting were Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver, Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison, Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, borough secretary Georgia Depos-DeWire, assistant borough secretary/treasurer Amy Macalush, Fire Chief Tom Hartz, Council President Micah Gursky and councilmen Dave Mace, Tom Cara, Kerry Dowd-Lasky, Justin Startzel and Dan Evans. Councilman Brian Connely was not present.
(Page down further to see photos and video.)
Below is a simple list of actions that occurred during the meeting (page down further to view photos and a video of the meeting):
– Borough secretary Georgia Depos-DeWire read correspondence regarding the Land of Running Water Band Adjudication set for Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 6:30 PM. The letter requested fire police volunteers. Council approved the request providing availability of volunteers.
– DeWire read correspondence from Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL). (see below).
– DeWire read Ray Woodring Sr.’s retirement letter announcing July 15, 2014 as his last day. Woodring served in the water department. It was approved.
– DeWire read correspondence from Boy/Cub Scout Pack 777 about using the Lower Owl Creek Dam for a campout event August 8 to 10, 2014. It was approved providing approval from Owl Creek Reservoir Commission members.
– DeWire read correspondence from Rose Marie Cannon, of Lansford Park and Recreation Committee, thanking the Tamaqua Borough for allowing Lansford residents to utilize the Tamaqua Bungalow during repairs to the Lansford pool on July 7, 2014.
– Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt discussed the revised Minority and Women Business Enterprise Plan. It was approved.
– Steigerwalt discussed the Affirmative Action Policy. It was approved.
– Steigerwalt discussed a request by the Tamaqua Rescue Squad (TRS) for correspondence stating that they are an emergency response service for the borough. The majority approved the request. The request was needed so the (TRS) could apply for a loan to purchase a new rescue truck. The truck would cost about $189,538; all of which will be paid via the Tamaqua Rescue Squad and its fundraising efforts.
– Councilman Dan Evans (Chairperson, Parking and Traffic Committee) requested the removal of a handicap sign at 210 Orwigsburg Street. It was approved.
– Evans motioned to deny a handicap parking space application for Karen M. Stahler of 315 Washington Street. The motion to deny was accepted.
– Councilman Justin Startzel motioned for a certificate of appropriation for a deck for 210 High Street. It was approved.
– Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison read aloud two Dear Tamaqua letters and drawings. For more information about the project, visit www.DearTamaqua.com.
– Morrison spoke about furthering the discussion regarding the Tamaqua Police Department’s need to upgrade their radios from analog to digital (as per new state/county requirements). Two digital radios are currently being loaned (freely) to the Tamaqua Police Department via Green’s Communication (a COSTARS vendor). Two vehicle radios would cost about $7,000 a piece. 6 portable radios would cost about $6,500 a piece. The discussion was tabled.
– Borough Council President Micah Gursky talked about the importance of local community members to purchase properties available via judicial and repository sales. Judicial sale properties in Tamaqua consist of 537 East Elm Street, 104 Pitt Street, 335 Rowe Street, 421 West Broad Street, 13 Market Street, 310 East Broad Street, 256 Cottage Avenue, 266 Van Gelder Avenue, 214 Race Street, 160 West Spruce Street, 63 1/2 Bowe Street, and 750 East Broad Street.
(see list of judicial sale properties below).