A new set of boilers for borough hall could cost Palmerton more than $40,000.

On a 6-0 measure, borough council on Thursday agreed to put the project out to bid. Councilwoman Holly Sell was absent.The action by council came after borough manager Rodger Danielson noted that a recent inspection of the boilers showed they're "reaching their irreplaceable point."Originally installed in 1975, the current boilers would be replaced with boilers that would run on gas, said Danielson, who added that the borough could likely pay them off within five years.Payment would come from the borough's general fund, he said."We looked at replacing them about five years ago," Danielson said. "We thought now is the time to do it."Resignation acceptedAlso on Thursday, council accepted the resignation of Michael Bloomfield from the borough's zoning hearing board.In a letter submitted to council, Bloomfield said he's resigning from his post effective May 1 because he is relocating out of the state.Council President Terry Costenbader said council should send Bloomfield a letter thanking him for his service.Danielson said Bloomfield has served on the zoning board for over 20 years.Afterward, council agreed to appoint Gerald Robertson to fill the vacancy on the board.Robertson has most recently served as a zoning board alternate, Danielson said.As a result, the borough will accept letters of interest from anyone who would like to serve as a zoning board alternate.In other business, council:• Adopted a resolution to participate in the Carbon County Council of Governments.• Appointed the law firm of Broughal & DeVito to consult on issues regarding planning and zoning matters.• Agreed to hire Thatcher George, Jourdan Reinhart, John Snyder and Tyler Svetik as summer workers at the rate of $7.25 an hour.• Approved a handicapped parking request for Susan Silliman at 605 Franklin Ave.• Approved a handicapped parking request for Dennis Derr at 594 Mauch Chunk Road.