How to deal with derelict properties is an issue plaguing almost every Pennsylvania community, including Tamaqua. The problem was once again discussed at Tuesday night's meeting of Tamaqua Borough Council.

It began with a discussion concerning a dozen Tamaqua properties scheduled for a judicial sale by the Schuylkill County Tax Claim Bureau. Council President Micah Gursky presented the list to council, explaining the properties will be offered for sale, free of all liens, tax claims, mortgages, etc., to the highest bidder. Gursky encouraged responsible property owners to take advantage of the sale instead of allowing absentee landlords to get their hands on the properties.The properties include: 537 E. Elm St., property of John Sweeney; 104 Pitt St., property of Stephen Sabol and Katherine Kreese; 335 Rowe St., property of Gary Nureck; 421 W. Broad St., property of Mayfair Property Trust; 13 Market St., property of Howard Boyer Family; 310 E. Broad St., property of Bonita Jancewica; 256 Cottage Ave., property of Kevin Shinn; 266 Van Gelder, property of Robert and Sue Ellen Olexa; 214 Race St., property of the late James and Nancy Barron; 160 W. Spruce St., property of Rosalique and Kerry Hamm; 63 1/2 Bowe St., property of Frank and Donna Domines; and 750 E. Broad St., property of Estate of Howard Miller.The Domines property on Bowe Street was discussed later in the meeting, when the neighbors living in the other row homes again asked council for help in fixing a problem with the roof. Donna Hill, 65 Bowe St., had asked for council's help in May. Since then, code violation notices have been sent to the Domines, but nothing has been done to make repairs. "When it rains," said Hill, "the water just pours down our walls. It's ruining our property. We can't even make repairs to our own home as the problem will just happen again the next time it rains."Gursky told the neighbors, "There's no easy answer. The borough doesn't own the building. We can't afford to fix every derelict house in town." He suggested they pursue the matter in civil court or buy the property at the upcoming judicial sale.Tony Rodrigues of the Tamaqua Planning Commission offered to spearhead a committee to meet with state legislators to try to find ways to meaningfully reform blighted property laws. "This is a recurring problem everywhere in Pennsylvania, not just Tamaqua. Until the Legislature puts some real teeth in the laws, citations and fines will do nothing to solve the problem. Uncaring or absentee property owners just ignore the citations and don't pay the fines. It costs them nothing to allow these properties to become run down. We need laws that will allow for garnishing of wages or forfeiting of other property, such as vehicles. They do it in other states."Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt noted the borough will continue to pursue the enforcement of the current codes until such time as lawmakers give municipalities the tools the need to fight the problem.In other business, council• denied a handicapped parking application for 315 Washington St.• approved removal of a handicapped parking sign at 210 Orwigsburg St.• agreed to write a letter of support for the Tamaqua Rescue Squad in its efforts to purchase a new rescue truck.• approved a request to limit parking on Coal Street on Oct. 11 for the Land of the Running Water Band Adjudication event.• approved a request from Boy Scout Troop 777 for a campout at the Owl Creek Reservoir from Aug. 8 through 10.