Nesquehoning's borough taxes will increase by 2.5 mills next year.

David Hawk councilman, explained the break down. There will be no full-time police officer hired next year and the budget amount was revised.The sanitation rate will remain the same with no increase.Two handicapped parking places were approved. One at 155 E. Catawissa St. and the other at 146 E. Catawissa St.Representatives from PennDOT were in attendance to give a brief run down on the reconstruction of the S-curve in the village of Hauto along Route 54. First the drainage problems must be addressed. Then 35 poles must be relocated. Six phases will be required for the construction. The project is projected to be finished by Thanksgiving of 2012 costing $2.9 million.Some residents of that area said that the trucks fly along the road and are not supposed to start work until 7 a.m. but are zooming by the homes at 6 a.m. Harry Miller, who lives along Route 54, said a brake retarder must be installed about one half mile from his home to deter speeding. He would like to see the co-gen trucks slow down. The borough would have to request to lower the speed limit from 40 mph.John Barna of New Columbus said snow should be put on the other side of the street in New Columbus since the sun hits there and not the side the borough wants to put it on.Council went into a half hour executive session to discuss personnel matters.Engineer Ron Tirpak discussed the restoration of one of the sewer plants. The job will be done by Eastern Environmental Contractors at a rate of $226,620.Louie Paul, borough superintendent, filed his report.John McArdle, Nesquehoning Fire Chief, said he has some smoke detectors left for free and anyone who needs one can call him to secure one. He wants residents to check their smoke detectors and CO detectors to make sure they are working.The next Crime Watch meeting will be on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. in the borough hall.Mayor Tony Walck received a letter from the state police telling residents to display a blue light in their homes over the holiday season in memory of the fallen state police troopers who lost their lives this year.Bids on the partial roof replacements were read but will be readvertised in spring along with the specs.Councilman Michael Sniscak brought before council the fact that he and Hawk were cleaning out paper work and discoverd that some files were missing from police records. He wants an investigation started as to where the papers are. Attorney Yurchak said they need to contact the district attorney and he will have the state police look in on it. But the borough police must give their permission first to do this.Sniscak brought up the expense of the garbage truck driving to Hegins to dump the garbage. Council president Mark Stromelo disputed his figures and said that going to Hegins is still better in costs.All borough CDL drivers must carry their medical card with them.Hawk reported that 55 Nesquehoning children were treated to a party at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center. Each child received a gift.Council woman Mary Fox said that next year, "We must challenge ourselves to stick to our budget and adhere to spending."The borough voted to allow borough employees who are firemen to leave work with pay during a major fire. A letter will be sent to their superintendent, Louie Paul.The Junior Recreation Committee will go to MapleShade Meadows Assisted Living Center on Saturday to entertain the residents along with Danny Farole and Santa Claus.Hawk explained the decision of the Nesquehonng Water Authority pertaining to meters. Yurchak will amend an ordinance stating that only commercial/industrial places be metered.