TAMAQUA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING (December 2, 2014); (VIDEO)

DELAYED ARTICLE (This post was delayed due to time constraints or technical issues.)
Numerous topics were discussed during Tamaqua Borough Council’s regular public meeting held Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at the borough hall.
Like all meetings, residents were encouraged to attend and speak during the meeting.
Officials attending the meeting were Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, borough secretary Georgia Depos-DeWire, solicitor Michael Greek, Council President Micah Gursky, councilmen Dave Mace, Brian Connely, Tom Cara, Dan Evans, Justin Startzel and Kerry Dowd-Lasky. Not present were Mayor Chris Morrison and Police Chief Rick Weaver.
Below is a simple list of actions that occurred during the meeting (page down further to view photos and a video of the meeting):

– Judith Hadesty was reappointed as board of health officer.
– Borough secretary Georgia Depos-DeWire read correspondence from Thomas Starry stating his resignation from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
– Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt motioned to hire Richard Miller on the street department, as probationary time ended today (Dec. 2, 2014). It was approved.
– Steigerwalt and Council President Micah Gursky pointed out a number of vacant positions. They include offices in the Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC), Tamaqua Planning Commission, Board of Appeals, and Citizens Advisory Committee. Call the borough at (570) 668-3444 for more information or to inquire about a position.
– Councilman Dave Mace (who is also member of the Neighborhoods, Downtown and Historic District) stated the hiring of John Mirarchi (of Mt. Carmel) as the new Executive Director of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission (ESRC).
– Councilman Justin Startzel (chairperson of Neighborhoods, Downtown and Historic District) motioned to approve a lighted sign at the Hunan House at 123 West Broad Street. It was approved.
– Solicitor Michael Greek stated a new law that requires each municipal tax collector to appoint a deputy tax collector. The council discussed the matter and made a motion to adopt the resolution.
– A motion was made to adopt the 2015 budget.
– A motion was made to adopt the 2015 tax ordinance fixing the real estate tax rate at 18.25 mills for general purposes, 1 mill for building and equipment fund, and 0.50 mill for the Wabash Capital Improvement Fund.
All voted yes, except Cara, Lasky and Startzel.
– Steigerwalt read correspondence from the county regarding a possible repository sale at 63 1/2 Bowe Street from Eric A. Knadler of Tamaqua for $1,240.

Click HERE to view a published schedule of regular meetings of Councils, Boards, Commissioners, Authorities, and special committees of 2015. All of these meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers at the Tamaqua Municipal Building located at 320 East Broad Street, unless otherwise noted. Where no day is specified, meetings will be advertised separately.

TamaquaArea.com video: