Nesquehoning Borough Council said Wednesday night it is concerned about the high electric bills it received this month.

The council is hoping that the state attorney general will review the bills and possibly provide relief.The borough purchases electricity from Direct Energy.As an example of the rising elect rates, on Jan. 24 the street lighting bill was $1,559.72. On Feb.21, it was $2,227.16.The electric bill for the borough garage rose from $259.76 on Jan. 22 to $500.39 on Feb. 21.Councilman Frank Jacobs, chairman of the budget and purchasing committee, suggested sending the bills as well as a copy of the borough's contract with Direct Energy to the attorney general.In other business:• Councilman Mark Stromelo said several council members received a letter, unsigned and in a plain envelope, criticizing certain members of the council and some volunteers with the borough.The letter wasn't read because it was anonymous. Stromelo said in a message to the letter writer, "Please don't be a coward."He said, "It's childish not to sign your name and to throw stones."He suggested that if someone has a problem with council members, then they should seek election.• Stromelo said the borough was summoned to 119 Ridge Street where a property foreclosed by the bank exists.He said the doors had been busted open and individuals sotole all copper pipes, took radiators, and stripped wiring."I don't know what we're going to do with the place," he said. "Condemn it? People can't live in it."The borough secretary was instructed to bill the bank for the labor of the borough workers at boarding-up the door.It was noted that the bank plans to have a contractor make repairs to the house and then try to sell it.• Council President David Hawk said he understands a snowstorm is predicted for Sunday or Monday. He said garbage collection is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the borough, but if a storm does occur, the garbage will instead be picked up Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.If no major storm happens, the garbage will be collected as scheduled.• Mayor Samuel Kitchko said a Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 10 at the Recreation Center.• The council agreed to upgrade all computers in the borough hall and police department from Windows XP to Windows 7.• Mayor Kitchko said the upgrades are especially needed in the police department. Without them, the police will not be able to access certain state police Web sites after April 8.• Megan Markovich, a student at Panther Valley High School who is interested in a career in law enforcement, was granted permission to have a ride-along with Chief of Police Sean Smith for one day, providing her parents sign permission slips.• A letter was received praising police officer Tim Wuttke and Chief Smith for their efforts in investigating the theft of a parcel post from a residence.• The American Cancer Society was granted permission to have traffic light fund collections on Feb. 28 and March 14.• The council tabled bids received for the sale of a 2002 model borough truck. Three bids were obtained, with the highest being from 309 Auto Sales in Tamaqua for $5,470.• The truck reportedly has 94,000 miles on it. Council was informed by borough workers that the truck is operable although the body on it is starting to deteriorate. Also, a plow can't be used with it. * Hawk praised the fire department volunteers for clearing snow from dozens of fire hydrants.