A new tot lot structure will eventually grace the Palmerton Borough Park.

On a 3-0 vote, borough council on Thursday agreed to accept a grant from the Pace-Makers Association of Palmerton in the amount of $11,135.Council members Richard Nothstein, Kris Hoffner and Holly Sell voted in favor.Council President Terry Costenbader abstained from the vote due to his affiliation with Pace-Makers. Council members Jason Behler, Jeremy Barbosa and Michael Ballard were absent.Costenbader informed council that the borough's application for the grant for the new play structure has been approved.Earlier this month, council agreed to apply to Pace-Makers to replace the aged playground equipment in the park.At that time, borough Manager Rodger Danielson said the current play structures, which were installed in the mid-1990s, are "deteriorating."The Pace-Makers Association raises funds for recreation purposes.Christmas decorationsAlso on Tuesday, Sell took a moment to recognize the new Christmas decorations that adorn the borough's downtown.Sell said she's heard nothing but positive remarks from residents about the snowflake decorations."The community response has been that they are really beautiful," Sell said.Sell then thanked all those responsible for the decorations.Councilman recognizedUnder his report, Mayor Chris Olivia said he attended the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation banquet held last Friday at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Palmerton.Olivia said several borough residents were recognized during the event.Among them were Marj Federanich, who was recognized as Volunteer of the Year, and Nothstein, who received The William H. Bayer Lifetime Achievement Award.Olivia then directed his attention to Nothstein and said, "I'd like to thank him for all the work he's done over the years with all the volunteering he's done."Other mattersIn other business, council:• Reminded residents to adhere to the odd-even parking regulations in anticipation of today's expected storm.• Agreed to hire Taylor Aceiarito as a leaf collection worker at the rate of $7.25 an hour.• Agreed to advertise for adoption an ordinance that would set the 2015 per capita tax rate.• Agreed to advertise for adoption an ordinance that would set the 2015 tax levels.• Adopted a resolution naming Kirk, Summa, & Co., LLP, to perform all audits of the 2014 accounts.