Harry Miller Jr. last night announced his resignation as a member of Summit Hill Borough Council.

Miller wasn't at the meeting, but presented a letter of resignation which he stated was effective immediately.The council accepted his letter and said it will accept letters of interest from anyone who is interested in filling his seat. The vacancy will be filled during a Jan. 3 meeting of the council.Miller has served several terms as councilman and has been very active in the community, including revitalizing the Summit Hill Community Improvement Organization.In other business, the council tentatively adopted its 2012 budget, which increases real estate taxes by one mill.Residents will be paying 16.1 mills of real estate tax, which includes 14.1 mills allocated for general purposes, 1.5 mills for street lighting, and a half-mill for fire allocation.The final adoption is scheduled during a special meeting of the council on Thursday, Dec. 29.Council members indicated they may reopen the budget in January.Also at the Dec. 29 meeting, the council will select a new solicitor.The present solicitor, attorney Joseph Matika, has been elected a Carbon County judge and is forced to step down as the borough's legal adviser.Two letters of interest were received for the position of solicitor. They are from attorney Michael Greek and attorney Robert Frycklund.In other business:• The council agreed to purchase electricity from Direct Energy/Hudson Energy for a two-year period at the rate of .008 kwh. Secretary Susan Gibisor said the contract should save the borough about $7,500 per year. The borough has been buying electricity from PPL. Council members said PPL will continue to have the transmission lines for the borough.•A garbage fee exemption was granted to the new owners of the former Perelli Building on West Ludlow Street, who informed council they will be hiring a private garbage contractor. The building reportedly is being converted into a pizza shop with apartments on the upper floors.• John O'Gurek, vice chairman of the council, issued a reminder that a Toys for Tots bin is in the lobby of the borough hall. He praised the program by the Marine Corps League, which collects toys and distributes them to needy children. O'Gurek urged residents to make a donation this week.• O'Gurek also thanked three council members who are stepping down. Besides Miller, Council President Joe Weber and Councilman Ken Boyd had opted not to seek re-election. He also thanked attorney Matika for his many years of service to the borough.