Residents and visitors to Tamaqua's South Ward will have a little less parking available to them in the near future.

Council voted to approve the advertisement of an ordinance that will make the western side of Oak Street a no-parking zone between Van Gelder and Spruce streets. The request comes at the request of the South Ward Fire Company, which had hoped to get the issue resolved before the onslaught of traffic that comes with football season.Mark Bower, South Ward fire chief, made the appeal on behalf of the fire company.He explained that route is the main way the fire engines leave the station, and with additional traffic in the area due to Lehigh Carbon Community College, it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, for the engines to make the turn from Van Gelder onto Oak."I understand the parking situation," he said, "and I'm not trying to make things difficult, but the fire company is growing, and we're blocked in more and more."He also cited a "what if" situation that involved a potential incident at the stadium during a football game."God forbid, but we could see it, and we wouldn't be able to get there."After a brief discussion, council voted to approve the changes. However, they will not be in effect before the first home football game.In other parking and traffic business, council approved two handicap parking spaces, one at 241 Clay St., and one at 325 N. Columbia St. It was noted these applicants had previously been denied spaces because of limited availability, but as spaces have opened up, they are being redistributed to those on the waiting lists.Council also heard from Joseph Orlik of Penn Street, who had previously submitted a letter requesting a no-parking zone behind his garage on Race Street. Council had referred the matter to parking and traffic, but was not ready to take action on the item yet.Councilman Dan Evans outlined a proposal to purchase 10 "Eagle" style digital parking meters.Evans and police Chief Rick Weaver determined the meters, which will cost no more than $176 each, will pay for themselves within two to three months of installation. The purchase comes as part of the borough's long-term plans to upgrade the 250 mechanical parking meters that are located through the borough that have become obsolete.Approximately 100 were replaced through Community Development Block Grant funding, however, the borough will need to find another funding source for the remaining 150. The new meters are the same as those found in the main downtown area, with a minimum fee of 25 cents per half-hour.The funds for the purchase will come from the borough's general fund.Evans said the borough is targeting replacing those meters that will generate the most revenue for the borough first."This area will allow us to pay back a small chunk, but then help us address the funding of the rest," said council President David Mace. "We're going to have to do this in small chunks."Seven of the new meters will be installed on Berwick Street, with the other three at locations yet to be determined.