NUMEROUS ITEMS DISCUSSED DURING TAMAQUA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST 19, 2014; (VIDEO)

Numerous topics were discussed during Tamaqua Borough Council’s regular public meeting held Tuesday, August 19, 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 officer Dwayne Hacker, Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison, Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, assistant borough secretary/treasurer Amy Macalush, Fire Chief Tom Hartz, solicitor Michael Greek, Council President Micah Gursky and councilmen Dave Mace, Brian Connely, Tom Cara, Kerry Dowd-Lasky, and Dan Evans. Councilman Justin Startzel was not present.
Below is a simple list of actions that occurred during the meeting (page down further to view photos and a video of the meeting):
– Assistant borough secretary/treasurer Amy Macalush read aloud correspondence from the Citizen’s Fire Company asking to close Haggerty Avenue on September 20, 2014 (from 8 AM til midnight) for their pig roast and cornhole event. It was approved.
– Macalush read aloud correspondence from William McMullen of ARRO Consulting about Eastern Schuylkill Regional Planning (ESRP) Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Revisions and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Revisions to the Tamaqua Planning Commission. (Click HERE to view it).
– Macalush read aloud correspondence from A.E. Rodrigue, II, Chairman, Tamaqua Planning Commission, in reply to the above mentioned correspondence from ARRO. (Click HERE to view it).
– Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt talked about opening bids for the possible future demolition of five properties in the borough. They are 252 Cottage Avenue, 301 Pitt Street, 13 South Lehigh Street, 67 Hunter Street, and 130 Clay Street.
– Steigerwalt talked about the annual renewal of insurance properties. (see video).
– Councilman Dan Evans, Chairman, Parking and Traffic Committee, motioned to install (2) signs limiting parking to one hour between the hours of 7 AM to 3 PM in front of the Stadium Hill Café. Steigerwalt added that they expect to install in within two weeks or after receiving the signs. It was approved.
– Evans motioned to remove handicapped parking signs at 252 Clay Street and 36 Market Street. It was approved.
– Evans motioned to add a handicapped parking sign at 316 North Columbia Street. It was approved.
– David Mace, member, Neighborhoods, Downtown & Historic Society, read multiple motions to approve certificates of appropriateness at 253 West Rowe Street, 330 Arlington Street, and 422 Hazle Street. (see video). They were approved.
– Mayor Christian Morrison talked about the need for Tamaqua Police radios.
– Mace stated their appreciation to volunteers that took time to clean the river and its banks along Boyer’s Food Market in Tamaqua. Morrison added the borough’s appreciation to borough workers.
– Council members held an executive session to discuss hiring of new personnel.
– After the executive session, Brian Connely made a motion to promote Michelle Barron to position of utility clerk effective September 30 at a rate of $16 an hour. It was approved.
– Connely made motions to fulfill the street leader position by Matt Mateyak, water leader position by Jay Stidham, water distribution worker position by Frank Morris, and street maintenance/sweeper operator by Steve Naylor. It was approved. Connely added that these newly filled vacancies were within the parameters of the union to bid into these classifications.
– Connely motioned to post vacancies for two street workers and one water distribution worker. It was approved.