A Nesquehoning resident is asking council to look into creating a safe zone near state game lands following an accidental shooting incident near businesses on the edge of town.

On Thursday night, John McArdle explained to council that on the morning of Dec. 2, on Locust Street near Maple Shade Meadows, Blue Mountain Health System's Nesquehoning office and the Nesquehoning Medical Center his wife, who is employed in one of the businesses, was alerted by a patient that there was damage to her vehicle.When she went out to look at the damage, she found that her driver's side mirror had a bullet hole through it. A second vehicle, owned by another employee, also had a bullet hole through its windshield.The incident was reported to the police and Pennsylvania Game Commission, who located the person a 14-year-old responsible for the gunshots. It was determined that the juvenile accidentally discharged his rifle in that area."My concern is two cars away from where the vehicles were parked was a waiting room for the medical offices," McArdle told council. "I'm not opposed to guns or hunting, but I think we have to consider creating a safe zone in that area."McArdle pointed out that not too far away from where the incident occurred is Panther Valley Elementary School."It's a little bit alarming because they (the medical offices) had a room full of patients," he said. "It could have been a lot worse."Council President Frank Jacobs said that council will look into the matter and see if something can be created in that area so something like that, or worse, doesn't happen again.The area where the incident happened is surrounded by state game lands, where hunting is allowed.There are laws in place that state a person can't discharge a firearm within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling.In other matters, the borough entered into an agreement with the Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1 that transfers the title of the fire company's 2013 KME Aerial Firetruck to the borough. The transfer takes effect before the end of the year.The action is because of requirements of the grant that was used to purchase the vehicle.Under the agreement, the borough will maintain the truck and cover all costs associated with the maintenance, repair, tires, inspections, certification and equipment; while the fire chief shall be in charge of the vehicle and be responsible for overseeing the vehicle's operations, availability and responses. The fire chief shall also provide an annual report to the public safety committee in the borough.The fire company will also house the truck atits station and providefuel.Council also waived a late fee Carbon County incurred because of a late sanitation bill payment.Prior to the vote, council President Frank Jacobs explained that the county has never been late paying the bill before and was late because of a glitch in their system.The motion to waive the fee passed unanimously.