Tamaqua Borough Council took care of a number of regular business items during its reorganizational meeting on Monday, including reappointing numerous officials.

Kevin Steigerwalt will continue to serve as borough manager, with Robert "Rob" Jones as the public works director.Rick Weaver was appointed chief of police and Michael Greek will continue as the borough solicitor.Other paid officials are: Georgia Depos Dewire, borough secretary/treasurer; Amy Macalush, assistant borough secretary/treasurer; Alfred Benesch and Company, borough engineers; Barry Isett and Associates, zoning/health/code and sewage enforcement officers; Carl Wolfe Jr., alternate SEO; Maillie, Falconiero and Company, appointed auditors (elected auditors are Karl P. Smulligan, Richard M. Hadesty Jr. and Betsy Kline Melnick); Berkheimer Associates and the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau, appointed tax collectors (Pam McCullion is the elected tax collector); Thomas Hartz Jr., fire chief; and Rob Jones, emergency management coordinator.There was one vacancy that needed to be filled, chairman of the vacancy board. Initially, there were no volunteers, but after being assured the position would not eat up much of his free time, Mark Bower of the South Ward Fire Company volunteered to fill the position. His offer was quickly and unanimously accepted.Council also approved a number of volunteers who serve on the municipality's authorities, boards and commissions. Mark Conville, a certified architect, was reappointed to serve on the Historic Architectural Review Commission for a three-year term. There is still a vacancy on the HARC board. Anyone interested in serving on the commission may stop in or call borough hall.In other business, council reviewed bids for 2016 street materials. Six different vendors submitted bids, with five being awarded contracts for specific materials. Contracts were awarded to Lehigh Asphalt and Paving of Tamaqua; R.E. Pierson Construction of Middleport; Pottsville Materials of Pottsville; Hei-Way LLC of Sarver; and Pennsy Supply of Pittston.Somewhat reluctantly, council approved a request from the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau concerning a repository sale for a property at 153½ Penn St. The bureau was looking for approval to sell the property to Joseph Chamoun of Tuscarora for the sale price of $800. Councilman Micah Gursky noted that Chamoun owns properties in many Schuylkill County communities."While he has had code violations in the past, all of his violations on Tamaqua properties have been resolved."Councilman Brian Connely cast the lone negative vote. Later in the meeting, he referred to the borough's quality of life ordinance and a nuisance property at 125 Penn St."The police department and zoning officers are doing a good job, but we need to put on a full-court press when it comes to these violators. In order to make any true headway, we need to be consistent and follow through."New council President Dave Mace asked for a few weeks time for consideration before naming committee assignments. He plans to announce the assignments at the next regular meeting of council, which is scheduled for Jan. 19.