From day one of their high school careers, they set out to be the best they could be as students and individuals.

In the end, that academic prowess and civic-mindedness they displayed paid off in spades for eight Palmerton Area High School seniors.Seniors Jessica Fegley, Courtney Gruber, Stephanie Gursky, Madeline Koller, Frank Hall, Ryan Kleintop, Robert Keyser and Jesse Reis were recognized with a resolution for their levels of activities and achievements by borough council on Thursday.Accompanied by family members, the students proudly accepted their honor.Gruber was moved to tears as she thanked council for their recognition of the students."I'd like to thank everyone; we worked really hard all these years," Gruber said. "I appreciate it."Council President Terry Costenbader told Gruber she and her fellow students deserved every last ounce of credit."We have an awful lot of good people in this area who work really hard," Costenbader said. "We like to take the time to recognize you."Also on Thursday, council on a 6-0 vote approved a preventive maintenance proposal with Landmark Services for the Municipal Services Building.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson said the borough will realize at least a $2,000 savings per year, if not more, through the air-conditioning agreement.In an unrelated matter, council President Terry Costenbader announced that several borough officials will attend a meeting at 7 p.m. June 21 at the West End Fire Company.In other business, council:• Approved the ratification of the Joseph Bennett agreement and memorandum.• Agreed to advertise for adoption an ordinance that would amend an ordinance related to vehicles and traffic.• Named patrolman Christopher Ritter as officer in charge from May 28 through June 4 while police Chief Randy Smith is on vacation.• Noted that patrolman Michael Fedor served as officer in charge from May 10-13 while Smith was on vacation.• Hired, on a 5-0 vote, with one abstention, Zach Fehnel at a rate of $7.75 an hour, Drew Sestok at a rate of $7.25 an hour, and Kyle Behler at a rate of $7.25 an hour, as summer employment helpers for the Public Works Department. Councilman Jason Behler abstained from the vote. Councilman Richard Nothstein was absent.• Approved a handicapped parking request for Anthony Resley at 246 Avenue A.• Denied a handicapped parking request for Pat Hunsicker at 226 Lehigh Avenue.