Tamaqua Borough Council met last night to discuss a large range of issues during their regularly scheduled council meeting held at the borough hall.

"Traffic has never been better in Tamaqua," said Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison."I am pleasantly surprised with the impact regarding the US209 Bridge construction," said councilman Dave Mace. Morrison and numerous members of the council stressed the importance of showing patronage to businesses surrounding the bridge work. They stressed that parking is still available on both sides of the bridge project. Morrison added, "It doesn't take much to walk an extra few feet to visit these businesses."Members of the South Ward Fire Company and area Warden Association were on hand during the meeting and made a request that they, along with the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission (OCRC), place a donated watch tower at the lower end of the Owl Creek dam.They said the tower, noted to be about 80 to 100 years old, stands about 18 feet high and is 9 foot by 9 foot at the base and requires no electricity. It was undetermined who would officially possess ownership of the tower. Members of the fire company said they and OCRC will maintain the structure and a locked fence will be constructed around it Micah Gursky, council President stated that the structure would be covered under the borough's insurance.Joe Salla, of Owl Creek Road, stated his disappointment over the tower, stating, "Why weren't any of the Owl Creek residents notified?"Gursky replied, "Most members of the OCRC live in Owl Creek." The fire company's request for the placement of the tower was tabled upon determination of ownership is given.• The Borough granted the St. Jerome Church permission to close part of Swatara Street (Broad to Rowe Street) for their upcoming St. Jerome Festival July 19 to 21.• Council awarded Shey Industries the bid ($10,721) to demolish 208 Gay Street. Four companies submitted bids.• Kevin Steigerwalt, Borough Manager, said the work will continue soon regarding the sewer project on Swatara Street. He added that work there will only take a week or so.• During the meeting, Gursky stated that residents are encouraged to visit the county's website (www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/info/Offices/TaxClaim/RepositoryList.csp) to view a list of properties up for judicial or repository sales. He added that the sales are free and clear of any leans. Some properties up for sale in Tamaqua include 524 Elm Street, 301 Railroad Street, 319 Market Street, 105 Catawissa Street, 631 Hazle Street, 252 Cottage Avenue, 132 Orwigsburg Street and 134/136 Orwigsburg Street. Council added that 18 Spruce Street and 209 Schuylkill Avenue had numerous code violations and denied any sales of the properties until the issues were resolved.•Council agreed to donate about 10 old police and public works cell phones to Schuylkill Women in Crisis.• Tammy Steward and Kenneth Mellor, both of 27 Rear Center Street, stated their complaints about neighbors' dog feces piling up in yards surrounding her small yard."I don't even utilize my yard," said Steward, who added that over four large dogs surround her backyard. "This had been going on for about 6 years." Gursky replied that three code enforcement fines ($25/$50/$100) were given to the neighbor(s) and more are expected to come.Mellor said that in addition to dog feces, the neighbors leave construction materials, numerous bags filled with dog waste, mattresses and garbage outside. "We should take them right to the magistrate," said councilman John Trudich. Joe Salla, a board member of the Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue, offered assistance to Steward and Mellor, stating that these dogs could be taken away from the neighbors if they are kept in unfit conditions.• On another note, Salla asked Borough Council if Tamaqua police officers could be trained to deal with animal poisoning complaints. Salla states that, currently, a Game Warden is the only person able to respond and fine someone found to be poisoning animals. Council said they will look into the laws to see if his request is doable.• Tamaqua Mayor Chris Morrison stated that borough workers are working hard to repair pot holes caused over the winter. He also talked about touring both the water and sewer plants with a number of councilman.• Morrison added that construction of the new Dutch Hill playground is coming along well. Steigerwalt said the park should be complete in the next few weeks.• Elbert Stegmeier, of 205 South Street, asked the council if they could replace the "no parking this block" sign near the front of his home to "no parking between signs". Council referred this to the Parking and Traffic Committee for further review.• Gursky, who added that the Borough Council meets every first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Borough Hall, 320 East Broad Street, encourages residents to stop and take part in these meeting.