With the onset of nicer weather, it's time to start thinking about summer. Tamaqua Borough Council approved several motions related to the Howard D. Buehler Memorial Pool at Tuesday night's meeting.

The pool is tentatively set to open June 3 and close Aug. 23. Adrian Bumbulsky will be returning as the pool manager for the third season, at $15 per hour. Recreation and Youth Chairman David Mace said more staff hirings will be done later this month.Council approved the acceptance of a $60,000 grant from the John E. Morgan Foundation, which will cover the pool operating expenses for the 2015 season. This grant will allow the pass rates to remain the same as they have been in previous years. Tamaqua school district residents will be able to purchase a season pass for $10. Out-of-district resident passes will cost $50. Daily passes will be $5 per day, Monday through Friday and $6 per day on weekends for district residents. Out-of-town rates will be $15 per weekday per person and $20 per day on weekends.Council also approved a "guest pass" program, which will allow pass holders to apply for a guest pass, which can be purchased for not more than two weeks, at a rate of $20 per week per person.Mace said he has had several requests for such a program from residents who have guests who visit for a few days in the summer. The details of how the program will be administered are still being worked out.Council also approved a lease agreement with Salute LLC for the operation of the concession stand. This is the same group that ran the stand last year.Deborah Althouse was appointed to the planning commission.Council approved two amendments to the police pension ordinance, one of which increases the individual contribution to the pension plan from 5 percent to 8 percent.Council President Micah Gursky said that "although the amount seems small, in the long run, it will help the budget tremendously."Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt reported that the street sweeper is currently broken and will require extensive repairs. In the meantime, the borough is looking at renting a replacement vehicle.Councilman Tom Cara asked if the borough plans to paint lines at intersections, particularly at intersections where there is more than one lane option for motorists.Steigerwalt said the streets need to be swept before lines can be painted, but is hopeful that it will be done within a month.Police Chief Rick Weaver advised council that the district attorney has compensated the department for training attended by two officers as a result of the good work the department has been doing in narcotic enforcement. He also requested approval for two officers to attend an evidence handling class, which was approved.