A lack of volunteers is making it difficult for several of Tamaqua's boards and committees to conduct business.

A letter submitted from the Tamaqua Board of Health indicated to Tamaqua Borough Council that due to the recent resignations of members, the board has not been able to meet with a quorum present. Additionally, Council President Micah Gursky said he heard from a member of the planning commission and that group was also having difficulty gathering a quorum. Council received at least one applicant for the board of health committee.Gursky said it takes many more people than just council and the mayor to run the borough and asked that anyone interested in serving on any of the committees and boards of the borough submit a letter of interest.The monthly report from the board of health also noted there were several complaints from bars and restaurants that have not received their inspections and licenses from the borough for 2015. The board requested that council look into this matter immediately.In other business, council approved several street materials bids for 2015 road work. A bid from Lehigh Asphalt and Paving of Tamaqua was approved in the amount of $10,687 for 750 tons of anti-skid material, delivered, and $5,526 for 100 tons of superpave asphalt mix, base course. Bids from R.E. Pierson Construction of Middleport were approved for 500 tons of 2A stone, in the amount of $3,250, for 750 tons anti-skid material in the amount of $7,500, and several others for various types of stone, totaling $6,790. Council approved bids from Pottsville Materials of Pottsville for $23,800 for 400 tons of superpave asphalt mix, wearing course; $27,300 for 200 tons of superpave asphalt mix, delivered; $1,785 for 30 tons superpave asphalt mix, any wearing course; $5,975 for 100 tons of superpave asphalt mix, delivered; $11,500 for 100 tons PennDOT approved cold patch; and $450 for 100 gallons of PG 64-22.Certificates of appropriateness were approved for the addition of a deck at the rear of 243 E. Broad St. and the replacement of a door and fascia at the water department garage on Greenwood Street.Boy Scout Troop 777 attended the meeting and several members of the troop participated in a question-and-answer session during the public comment section of the meeting.Other actionCouncil approved:A resolution for the price adjustment of bituminous materials.A revised winter traffic services agreement with PennDOT, which will result in an additional $7,500 to the borough for maintaining sections of state roads during the winter.The full-time employment of Justin C. McCarroll as a mechanic/street maintenance worker, following a probationary period.The opening of a separate bank account for the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum project.A proposal from Alfred Benesch & Company in the amount of $54,000 for engineering and inspection for the Center Street Streetscape project, which will include improvements from the Center Street Bridge up to Spruce Street.Handicap parking spaces at 115 Lombard St., 218 Pitt St., and 156 Orwigsburg St.