Nesquehoning Borough Council received an early Christmas present Wednesday.

During last night's council meeting, Solicitor Robert Yurchak announced that Carbon County Judge Steven Serfass awarded the borough $1,521,332.03 in the borough's suit against Municipal Energy Managers Inc.MEM has been part of multiple lawsuits filed by various municipalities in Carbon, Schuylkill and Northampton counties for failing to follow through on street lighting contracts.In the over $2.6 million suit, Nesquehoning sought to recover monies paid to MEM for services that were never rendered, as well as to seek payment for projected savings in service bills that the borough was to realize by utilizing MEM along with roughly $22,000 in loan refinancing fees.While the news did offer a glimmer of hope to the borough, they must wait 10 days for post-verdict motions and then wait through the 30-day appeal period and hope that the firm does not file for bankruptcy.In other matters, council voted to approve the adoption of the 2013 budget which includes a .5-mill increase, bringing the total millage to 15. Councilman Don DeMarco cast the only opposing vote.A change to the Tax Levy ordinance allowing for the .5 mill increase was also passed, again with DeMarco casting the lone opposing vote.DeMarco commended borough workers for all of the work performed during the past year that "saved the town a lot of money" in 2012.Mayor Tony Walck read a letter received by Robert & Leslie Macalush regarding an incident involving their daughter, Marsha during an ice storm on Dec. 7 in which Police Chief Sean Smith assisted several drivers on top of the Broad Mountain on Route 93 and informed them on the safest method to descend the mountain. Smith then followed behind them to be certain everyone arrived at the bottom safely.In the letter, the couple expressed their gratitude for the assistance of Smith.Councilman Robert Marouchoc acknowledged the volunteer fire and ambulance crews in the borough noting that he appreciated the great work that they do.He also suggested that council do something to thank and honor members of Nesquehoning Hose Co. 1, who spent a lot of time training and becoming certified in various areas including several certified aerial truck drivers.Under new business, council president Frank Jacobs announced that the borough was being recognized by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs as being a borough for 50 years in January.