Numerous topics were discussed during Tamaqua Borough Council’s regular public meeting held yesterday evening (Tuesday, April 7, 2015) at the Tamaqua borough hall.
Like all meetings, residents were encouraged to attend and speak during the meeting.
Officials attending the meeting were Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison, Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, borough secretary Georgia Depos-DeWire, solicitor Michael Greek, Tamaqua Fire Chief Tom Hartz, Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver, Council President Micah Gursky, councilmen Dave Mace, Brian Connely, Tom Cara, Dan Evans, Justin Startzel and Kerry Dowd-Lasky. Not present were councilmen Dan Evans and Justin Startzel.
The public meetings are held every first and third Tuesday at 7 PM at the Borough Municipal Building, 320 East Broad Street. For more information or to confirm, call (570) 668-3444.
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 from the East End Fire Company asking for permission to close the local roads around their fire company during their annul Block Party set for June 12, 13, and 14, 2015. Council approved it.
– DeWire read 2 correspondence letters from Debra Althouse requesting to be a part of the Tamaqua Board Of Health and the Tamaqua Planning Commission. There are no positions available on the Tamaqua Board Of Health. Council approved her for the Tamaqua Planning Commission.
– Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt made a motion to approve the recent Police Pension Ordinance amendment. Council approved it.
– Steigerwalt made a motion to approve the Fair Housing Resolution. Council approved it.
– Steigerwalt made a motion to re-advertise the sale of 234 Columbia Street. Council approved it.
– Steigerwalt stated that the borough street sweeper is broken and awaiting parts for repair. He added that they might have to rent one. He added that line painting will start after the streets are cleaned.
– Borough Councilman Brian Connely, Chairperson, Public Safety Committee, made a motion to adopt an ordinance establishing minimum qualifications for assistant fire chiefs. Council approved it.
– Connley made a motion to approve an agreement with the North Central Highway Safety Network Inc. for a DUI Enforcement Project. Council approved it.
– Councilman Dave Mace, Chairperson, Recreation & Youth Committee, made a motion to adopt a resolution accepting a $60,000 grant from the John E. Morgan Foundation Inc. for pool operating expenses. Council approved it.
– Mace made a motion to approve a lease agreement with Salute LLC for the pool concession stand for the 2015 season. Salute LLC had it last year as well. Council approved it.
– Mace made a motion to approve the season and daily pass fees for the H.D. Buehler Memorial Pool for the 2015 season. Council approved it. (POOL PASSES AREN’T AVAILABLE YET)
– Mace made a motion to open the pool on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 and close on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Council approved it.
– Mace made a motion to rehire Adrian Bumbulsky as pool manager for the 2015 season at a pay rate of $15.00 per hour. Council approved it.
– Mace made a motion to accept non-Tamaqua area guest passes at a rate of $20 per week, with maximum of $40. Council approved it, noting further decisions or changes could be made by pool manager and staff, such as possible use of a punch card.
– Mayor Chris Morrison brought up a benefit concert, titled Art Center Big Benefit Concert, being held on Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center. Click HERE to view the flyer.

TamaquaArea.com Video:

Other past council meeting videos: (January 20, 2015), (February 3, 2015), (March 3, 2015), (March 17, 2015).

TamaquaArea.com Photos: