Tamaqua Borough Council handled many items of business during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, including unloading several pieces of equipment.

The items were offered for sale to the highest bidder and included a 1997 International dump truck and a 1994 Sierra 3500 dump truck, which were purchased by John Selby of Hometown for $2,625 and $1,200, respectively. Mike Veneziano of Bellfonte picked up a 1997 International dump truck for $1,501, a 1994 Sierra 3500 dump truck for $801, a 1989 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck for $201, and a 1986 Ford L8000 Camel Sewer vacuum truck for $6,000.Jeremy Sporz was hired as a part-time police officer. Council will discuss raising the number of hours part-time officers can work from 29 to 32 with the

F.O.P.Council approved proposals from Communication Systems Inc. totaling $15,478.53 for the installation of cameras, including a panoramic one at the intersection of Centre and Cedar streets, the relocation of the one currently in the area of Mermon Motors to Mauch Chunk Street, and one facing north and one facing south at the south end of town that have license plate reading capabilities. The funds have already been budgeted for the project.Council denied handicap parking spaces for 325 N. Columbia St. and 241 Clay Street, since they would exceed the number of spaces allowed in that block. They approved spaces for 63 Bowe St., 221 Orwigsburg St., and removed one at 619 Arlington St. A request from the Rev. John Frink of St. John XXIII parish, to place handicap parking signs in the area of St. Jerome's Church, was referred to the parking and traffic committee.Chairman of the recreation and youth committee, David Mace, introduced the new director of the ESRC, Sarah Connely, to council. Connely has been on the job for several weeks and announced plans for the annual ESRC breakfast with Santa, and a biddy and men's basketball league to be starting soon.Council received letters from Stephen Ginz and Dale Freudenberger expressing interest in serving on the Citizens Advisory Committee. Council appointed Freudenberger and reminded the public there are many openings on several other committees.Richard Hadesty was reappointed to another term on the CRIZ board. Dan Evans was reappointed to the Tamaqua Planning Commission and Karl Smulligan was reappointed to another term on the zoning hearing board. All appointments were made at the recommendation of the boards.Council accepted the resignation of Linda Yulanavage from the HARC. It was noted that Yulanavage had served for over 14 years and was one of the original members of the HARC. Council thanked her for her service.Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt noted the street sweeper will run as long as possible, before the cold weather sets in.Council welcomed member-elect Ron Bowman. Bowman's term will officially start in January. Council also noted that current Councilman Brian Connely was elected to both a 4-year and a 2-year seat. Connley will need to resign from one of the seats and council will have an open seat. Anyone who is interested in being appointed to that seat should contact the borough.Council discussed the possibility of purchasing the borough's streetlights from PPL and possible upgrades to more energy efficient fixtures. Council President Micah Gursky said the borough would be interested in pursuing the purchase, if in fact it made sense from a financial standpoint.An executive session was held to discuss a legal matter.