Tamaqua borough officials recently received a review done by Alfred Benesch & Company on the Wabash culvert, which runs under several streets in the borough. The review included numerous repairs needed to the culvert and those repairs were discussed at Tuesday night's regular council meeting.

Tamaqua Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt told council there is more repair work than there is money to complete all of the recommended fixes, prompting Councilman Micah Gursky to suggest advertising all the work."We can award what we can afford," Gursky said.Councilman Brian Connely asked how the suggested repairs would be affected by the upcoming replacement of the bridge along Route 209 on West Broad Street. Steigerwalt said that area had not been included at all in the scope of the work prepared by Benesch. Additionally, Steigerwalt said some comparisons had to be done between the suggestions and previous work done by the borough.For example, Benesch's review suggested there may still be several wildcat sewers discharging into the creek. Steigerwalt said some of those may actually have been resolved or they may be clear water discharges, such as storm drains.Council approved advertising for bids on the repairs as listed by Benesch. They also opted to divert the 0.5 mill that was dedicated to the Wabash fund to help cover the cost of emergency radio upgrades in the 2016 budget.Council approved an upgrade to the borough's automated calling system. The previous package cost the borough $3,700 annually. The upgrades, which will include text and email capabilities as well, will cost $4,900. Steigerwalt said the upgrades will also allow for updates to be sent from any computer or smartphone device and will keep more accurate phone records. Customers will also be able to access their contact information via website and keep it updated.Council approved a request from Connely to cover the cost of lodging and food for firefighter Chris Hadesty, who will be attending a four-day training seminar to become a certified life safety instructor. Council also approved the funds to cover an additional person for the training, if another person wants to become an instructor.Parking issuesA temporary handicap parking space was granted for 305 Spruce St. and a permanent one was granted to 106 Clay St.Council approved the installation of a sign specifying one handicap parking space to be placed in the current "no parking school zone" area in front of St. John's XXIII parish, designated as a parking space during church services only. The space is adjacent to the handicap loading and unloading zone. The matter was discussed at length before the approval of the space.Council also approved the placement of "no parking signs" as needed in front of the property at 131 Mahanoy St., to enable the resident of 128 Mahanoy St. to be able to access his driveway.Council also received information regarding the 2016 homeless count, which asks any homeless people to visit the Salvation Army onJan. 29 to learn about assistance which may be available to them. Food, clothing and personal products will also be available during this time.