After a lengthy executive session that included personnel and legal matters, Tamaqua Borough Council voted to hire Amy Macalush as the borough assistant secretary and treasurer at a rate of $18.75 per hour. She will start as soon as possible.

Council members Justin Startzel and Kerry Dowd-Lasky voted against the hiring, due to the proposed salary. Council also hired Shannon Boyer as a utility billing clerk at a rate of $13.50 per hour, to start on July 28. Boyer's hiring was unanimously approved.Council approved a request from Earl Edmonson to be appointed as head mechanic. Edmonson has worked for the borough as the assistant mechanic. His previous position will be posted internally.In other business, council approved the installation of playground warning signs on Washington Street for northbound and southbound traffic approaching the North and Middleward playground.This was in response to a request from playground committee members. Several council members and Mayor Chris Morison noted the positive changes at the playground and the heavy use by the neighborhood.Properties at 67 Hunter St., 130 Clay St., and 301 Pitt St. were added to the borough's demolition list. Rob Jones, director of public works, updated council on the status of the Wabash Creek sewer project.Jones said four out of five properties that had been found to be illegally discharging sewage on Hunter Street have now been hooked up, and the fifth property has a contractor lined up for the work.Out of the original properties that were identified, only five have not yet been connected. Three are currently unoccupied, and the water is shut off. Jones indicated that one property has a new owner and the new owner has submitted an application to connect.The other property has been cited and the owner did not show up at the magistrate hearing, so the citation process will continue against them.Jones said the borough is transitioning to the purchase of gas cards for each vehicle. Each vehicle will have a specific card, and each operator will have their own PIN to use the card."We could save up to 15 percent a year on fuel bills," said Jones. "It will give you a driver ID, who is getting gas, when and how much they get, what the mileage is, and a comprehensive report will be emailed monthly."Jones said the move should eliminate all of the paperwork and paper billing that is currently being handled by the borough regarding vehicle fuel.