Tamaqua residents will see their taxes go up in 2015 after Tuesday night's Tamaqua Borough Council meeting was short and to the point.

Council narrowly approved the proposed budget and tax ordinance for 2015 by a 4-3 vote, with council members Justin Startzel, Tom Cara and Kerry Lasky voting against it. Residents will be facing a 1-mill tax increase that will go toward the general fund.The bottom line still indicates a deficit of approximately $170,000. Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt said property owners will pay about $25 more per $25,000 of assessed property value next year. This is the second tax increase in two years, as council approved a 1.5-mill increase for 2014.While the budget vote took up most of the brief meeting, council also dealt with two reappointments: Judith Hadesty, RN, as the borough's health officer, and John Handler as the member at large to the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission.They also accepted the resignation of Thomas Starry from the Citizens Advisory Committee. Council President Micah Gursky informed the public there are vacancies on several of the borough's committees and boards, including the newly opened one on the advisory committee. Other vacancies include the board of appeals, the planning commission, and HARC."It takes a lot of good people to run the borough," Gursky said. "We rely on good people to step up." Anyone interested in serving in any of these capacities should submit a letter of interest to the borough.Other businessCouncil approved a recommendation from HARC for signage and lighting at the Hunan House on West Broad Street and the repository sale of 63 Bowe St. to Eric Knadler. Councilman David Mace, chairman of the recreation committee, announced the ESRC has hired a new director, John Mirarchi of Mount Carmel. Mirarchi is expected to begin his duties almost immediately, including the ESRC's annual Breakfast with Santa this coming weekend.Council also took steps to approve the payment of the December bills, pending their review by Steigerwalt and the finance committee. The bills are usually approved at the second meeting during the month, but giving approval early, according to Gursky, will allow the Dec. 16 meeting to be canceled if there is no other business to conduct.