Palmerton may eventually replace some equipment at a heavily used playground.

Borough Manager Rodger Danielson informed borough council on Thursday that reinforcement work is needed for some of the playground equipment at First Street."We found there's some rotting," Danielson said. "They (some of the equipment) are reaching their useful limits."Handicapped parking debateAlso on Thursday, council heard a complaint from resident Jane Shellhammer, of 776 Edgemont Ave.Shellhammer, who had previously been refused a handicapped parking space in front of her home, asked who is in charge of making such decisions.Council President Terry Costenbader told Shellhammer that the borough's police chief gives a recommendation to the borough's safety committee, which in turn makes a recommendation to council. Council then makes the final decision whether to grant or deny the request, Costenbader said.Costenbader said the borough must follow a process, and that had a recommendation been made to council to approve Shellhammer's handicapped parking space, she would have received one.Not to be dismayed, Shellhammer placed the blame on borough chief Randy Smith, and said if he likes an individual, then they receive one, and if he doesn't like someone, then they don't.Mayor Chris Olivia clearly took exception to that statement.Olivia said Smith "does a great job," and said there have been a lot of requests that have been approved, but also a lot of requests that have been denied.Costenbader told Shellhammer "I'm waiting for a recommendation."Shellhammer asked council what she should do when she shovels out her parking space and someone takes it.Costenbader said it's public parking.Olivia agreed, and said the borough can't continue to give out handicapped parking signs like they're candy.