The Borough of Tamaqua has issued a call to any local Scouts who are looking for community service projects. One Boy Scout who answered the call is Nathan Steigerwalt, of Troop 777, Tamaqua. Steigerwalt presented his plan to replace the foot bridge at Owl Creek, which runs along the Tenderfoot Trail. Steigerwalt said he has already received the approval of the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission for the project and hopes to start the project in the spring.

Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt said there are several other areas in the community that might benefit from a similar project. Councilman Tom Cara brought up the area at the north entrance of town as needing some enhancement."That's the first thing you see when you come into our community, and I think it could use some landscaping or something," he said.Steigerwalt updated council about a long-awaited DEP project in the Schuylkill Avenue/Brew Street area to address surface water runoff and mine water drainage. The problem has been affecting approximately 13 residents' homes for more than 20 years. The proposed solution to the mine drainage issue has finally gotten underway.Council commended the borough workers and extra assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for their response to January's snowstorm. Steigerwalt said that additional help from PennDOT was unexpected, but really aided in removing snow from the downtown area.Steigerwalt recommended the borough consider approving an agreement with Service Electric and PenTeleData for phone and Internet service for the borough. Steigerwalt said there are currently multiple vendors for the various areas and buildings within the borough and this would consolidate them all under one vendor. Additionally, the borough will be looking at a savings of approximately $730 a month.Bernard Kupetz, a new employee at the sewage treatment plant, will be reaching the end of his probationary period, and Steigerwalt said the recommendation is to hire him full time. Borough approved the motion.The borough also rehired two part-time police officers, Matthew Houser and Doug Springer. Both officers have worked for the department previously.Council approved the extension of a one-year warranty on the police department's license plate reader and corresponding hardware. The extension also includes software upgrades.Council rehired Adrian Bumbulsky and Matthew Stanek as the Bungalow pool manager and assistant manager, respectively. Council is also advertising for lifeguards and pool staff for the 2016 summer season.Council approved $500 for two fire chiefs to attend the FDIC conference in Indianapolis. This is a budgeted item and will be left to the fire chief to determine which of the borough's four chiefs will attend the conference.Council also discussed a shortfall in the projected gains on the borough's pension plans. The borough was expecting a 7 percent gain, but fell very short, realizing a gain of just over 2 percent. Councilman Micah Gursky said the borough will need to make up that difference in the annual obligation.Council also voted to advertise dropping the sewer tap-in fee from $2,000 to $550. Members of council felt that the higher fee discourages new development.