Jim Thorpe Borough will use its general fund as a backup to pay the mortgage on Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall.

By a unanimous vote, council agreed Thursday night to use the general fund if there isn't enough money available in the hall's account on the first of the month, when payment is due."We want to stay in good standing with the loan," Councilman Greg Strubinger said. "When the money is available, it will be put back into the general fund."Strubinger said the money would come out of a building account, where there is already a line item for Memorial Hall improvements."When the money goes back to the general fund, it will be listed as miscellaneous and there will be a paper trail noting what it is for," he added.Memorial Hall cost $800,000 to build and was dedicated in 1983. The main hall accommodates up to 500 people. When arranged for a wedding with table seating and a dance floor, it can comfortably handle about 350 guests.The borough pays around $40,000 a year on the mortgage.In January, council approved transferring $25,000 from its sanitation department account to Memorial Hall in order to pay bills.Jim McHugh, who took over management and chef responsibilities at the hall in September 2013, said that revenue is equal to what it was last year at this point.Also in January, Councilwoman Joanne Klitsch said the hall lost $31,000 in 2014.The winter months were slow, McHugh said, meaning the hall had to generate some events of its own.They included a Valentine's Day dinner and dance, and Lenten dinners. The venue also recently hosted the Jim Thorpe Policeman's Ball."They were big hits and I really think local people had a blast," McHugh said. "For the Policeman's Ball we had 280 people here."The Carbon Builders Association is hosting a business and outdoor expo at Memorial Hall on May 2 and 3."We're moving in a positive direction," he said.In other news, the borough approved:• The National Night Out event to be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at Memorial Park on Aug. 4.• A storm drain repair at 1492 Mauch Chunk Lane for $1,096, part of which may be paid by the property owner.• Rented a crack sealing unit for the street department at a cost of $1,800 for one week, and two pallets of sealant at $3,360.• Repairs for a 2006 F-350 truck at $4,800.