During the September meeting of Nesquehoning Borough Council, members of the borough's Cadette Girl Scout Troop 4096 received approval to clean up litter in the New Columbus and Nesquehoning playgrounds. If they have time this fall they will also do Hauto's play area. If not, they will return in the spring to pick up litter.

Samantha O'Donnell also attended the meeting for a class at school.During the visitor's segment, Tony Mele asked about the water run-off on East Columbus and Padua avenues. He was informed it is is an easement, not borough property, but council would study the matter.Michael Matalone, who lives on East Columbus Avenue, said he has detected a strong stench of oil from a vacant home across the street. Letters were sent to the state Department of Environmental Protection, but there has been no reply."The borough is not allowed in there," said Councilman Michael Sniscak.The borough will send another letter to DEP, telling them that it has been months since they were contacted.Joe Tout asked the borough to do something about the sign for heavy trucks traveling on Tippets Road in front of his house. It was decided to post a sign on top of the entrance to Tippetts (SR 54), stating that there is a six ton limit and no trucks are allowed except for emergency vehicles. Signs will be posted on SR 54 on both sides of the road.Tom Merman again reminded the borough that nothing is being done to enforce ordinances. Mark Stromelo, borough council president, told Merman, "We are working on it."Thank you resolutions were presented to the borough's three fire chiefs. Stromelo presented them to John McArdle for 20 years as chief, Jim Nardozzi for 10 years as chief, and Dave Walls for an unknown length of time as chief.Plans are being made ro have a number of streets in Hauto Estates tarred and chipped, which can last for 10 years. Sixth, Ninth, and Tenth streets will be paved and the remaining others will get the tar and chips at half the cost of paving.Louis Paul expressed his thanks to the borough workers who braved the bad weather to keep the inlets open so that flooding would not occur.Mary Fox had to resign from the Planning Commission since she now serves on borough council. The borough will advertise for a replacement.The borough will extend cable service with Blue Ridge Communications for another 10 years in the town.John McArdle from Emergency Management said that a letter was sent to the Nesquehoning Conservation Club asking them to check along the Nesquehoning Creek for any fallen trees and then alert the Nesquehoning Fire Company if any removal is needed. He also talked about the new narrow banding coming into the emergency systems in town.McArdle said it is imperative that PennDOT repair the truck runoff on the Broad Mountain. Letters will be sent to state Rep. Doyle Heffley and Sen. John Yudichak on the issue, stating that PennDOT must fix the repairs immediately to ensure the safety of truckers using the mountain.John Kovatch III asked to have crosswalks painted across SR 54 from his one plant and slow down traffic in that area.A Chinese auction will be held for the children of Nesquehoning at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center to win bikes that have been collected throughout the years by the police. Each bike will have a bag attached to it and children can put their names in the bag for the bike they would like to win.While the borough basement is being housecleaned, there will also be a gun sale for old police guns. The old bulletproof vests will be discarded and the beer kegs will be returned to get the deposits back.The next Crime Watch meeting is set for Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Nesquehoning Borough Hall.Solicitor Robert Yurchak said that E.H. Pooled has until Thursday to respond to the deteriorated home at 34 E. Railroad St.The borough will have Caputo Paint Company paint the outside of the Nesquehoning Recreation Center at a cost of $1,250. Painting the inside will cost $2,750. A quote for painting outside the borough offices will be reported on at the next meeting.The town police will get an increase in pay to coincide with other surrounding towns.TIMES NEWS correspondent Carol Zickler announced her retirement to the borough council and introduced her replacement, Sheri Ryan who can be reached at (570) 645-4215 or

sryan@windstream.net.