For the second time in less than a year, Tamaqua Borough Council members said goodbye to one of their own.

Councilman John Trudich's empty seat at the table was draped in black as council opened the meeting with a few words about the man who had served on council for more than a decade, including several years as its president.Recalling the unexpected passing of Ken Smulligan in September, Councilman Tom Cara said he remembers the two men sitting next to each other at the table, as friends."Now they are friends in heaven," he said.Cara also recalled Trudich's selflessness and how he went above and beyond to serve the borough's recreational groups, including the South Ward Playground and the Bungalow."We will miss him very much," said council President Micah Gursky.Gursky asked anyone who is interested in serving the remainder of Trudich's term to submit a letter of interest to the borough. The borough has received two such letters so far.Business conductedReturning to the business at hand, borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt advised council there will be several vacancies across departments, as employees are taking advantage of the early retirement benefit package that was approved earlier this month."Right now, we have a meter reader vacancy and a sewer plant operator vacancy," said Steigerwalt.He added that both vacancies had been advertised in house, and there was internal interest in the meter reader vacancy from a water distribution employee, which would create a vacancy in that department.Steigerwalt also indicated the borough's garbage contract will expire in June.He said he has met with Larry Wittig, of Tamaqua Transfer Inc, the borough's current provider. The borough is eligible to take advantage of a one-year extension of the current contract, with no rate increases and Steigerwalt indicated he thought this would be a good idea.The matter is pending review by the borough solicitor.Steigerwalt said that Lenape Solar has reviewed the lighting in the aerial garage and recommended upgrades that will cost in the neighborhood of $1,700.PPL will pay for approximately $500 of that and the borough will see a recoup of their investment in approximately 3.8 years. Council approved the proposed improvements.Steigerwalt indicated that street sweeping will resume, weather permitting at the beginning of April.Other Business• adopted an ordinance decreasing the membership on the Tamaqua Planning Commission from seven to five members.• adopted a resolution establishing procedures for choosing professional services for the borough's pension plan• approved an agreement with TCG Investment Advisory Inc. for the borough's pension plans.• approved two handicapped parking space applications, one at 422 West Rowe St. and one at 447 Willing St.Parking and traffic chairman Dan Evans reviewed the findings of the last parking and traffic meeting with council.Evans said the meeting was well attended and lasted over two hours. He said at this time the committee will not be proceeding with any changes to the parking meters in the area of the high rise and the Majestic House.Additionally, the committee will be reviewing the snow removal policies and procedures before next winter.Council heard from Ray Sell, who is one of the new volunteers for the Middle Ward playground association. He advised council that some of the equipment that had previously belonged to the association had been given away by the previous playground volunteers.Council indicated the playground associations operate independently and council is not involved in their daily operations.