Fifty six properties in the borough of Tamaqua have been identified as having active or once active illegal sewer connections to the Wabash Creek.

Those that were once active may need further investigation to determine if they will need to be addressed. Council president Micah Gursky announced the findings of a recent study at this week's borough council meeting, stating that property owners have already been notified by certified mail."As sad as it is that we have illegal discharge, it's nice to see a list finally verifying who is illegally connected," said Gursky. "There have always been rumors."The list is now available to the general public and can be viewed at the borough building."This is just the beginning," said Gursky. "There are a lot of folks who have to connect and a lot of work to be done over the next several months to connect them."The majority of the properties are located along S. Lehigh, W. Broad, Rowe, S. Railroad and Nescopec streets. Gursky added thatThe borough has until August to address the problems to avoid further issues with DEP, which has already cited the borough for the illegal discharge. Property owners have 60 days to connect to the sewage system.Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt asked borough residents for their continued cooperation in the matter."So far, the people have have contacted us with questions have been very cooperative. We appreciate that," he said.The borough does have a revolving loan program that could be available to property owners who need financial assistance to have the work completed. More information on that program is available from the borough.Steigerwalt provided an update regarding a property on Union Street that was reported as being infested with bedbugs. Steigerwalt said that the property has been treated and cleaned out. "It's our understanding that the spread of these critters has stopped," he said.Council did receive a letter of interest from R. Daniel Evans regarding the council seat vacated by Steve Tertel earlier this month. Council has 30 days to appoint someone to fill that seat. Gursky asked that anyone interested in serving on council for the remainder of Tertel's term should send a letter to the borough.Council appointed Herb Curvy to fill the spot left by Tertel on the civil service commission.Borough solicitor Michael Greek advised council he had been in contact with a representative from MEM, the company the borough hired to coordinate the purchase of the borough's street lights from PPL and maintain those lights. The company has indicated that PPL is not cooperating in the turnover of the lights, however, MEM has not provided maintenance under the borough's agreement with them. Greek recommended the borough send them a letter indicating they would be held in default."It's dragging us out and we're not seeing the results," said Greek. "Holding them in default is a prerequisite for taking any kind of legal action."In other action, council approved:• The hiring of clerks and lifeguards for the Bungalow pool, including Beth Fritzinger-Jones, Justin Huegel, Gabrielle Lech, Jacqueline Steward, and Michael Taylor as clerks, and Emily Bumbulsky, Deana DeWire, Samantha Digilio, Molly Frederick, Eden Helfrich, Eric James, Brianna Kunkel, Nathanial Leibensperger, Mallory Loughman, Abigail Markovich, Corey McCann, Jordan Nowacki, Devin Smith, Rachael Tertel, Christi Truskey, Travis Veronsky, and Shellie Witcofsky as lifeguards.• A request from the Tire Pros to hold a vendor fair in conjunction with an appearance by Bigfoot, including a car crush, on Saturday June 18. A representative from the company said that the theme for the fair will be "Charity Starts at Home" and local non-profits will have the opportunity to raise money for themselves by sponsoring booths. It was proposed that a section of South Railroad Street be closed off for the event to facilitate the safety of those in attendance.• A proposal from Kovatch Ford in the amount of $21,500 for a 2009 Dodge Charger police vehicle. The vehicle is used, but according to building and equipment committee chairman John Trudich, it has less than 30,000 miles on it.• An off duty social networking policy for the police department. Although there was no specific incident that required the development of the policy, Gursky said any borough personnel, including the police officers, are "never really off duty.""When you're out and about doing your thing, you reflect on all of us," he said.The policy was put in place as a preventative measure.