Coaldale continues its efforts to combat blight and clean up abandoned properties.

In the past month, the borough has demolished two homes and added a code enforcement officer. The borough's streetlights have been upgraded to LED, council members reported at a meeting on Tuesday.Borough council recently acquired and took down two abandoned homes located on Fisher Avenue. Thanks to cooperation from the Schuylkill County Commissioners, the demolition was funded entirely through grants. The actual cost would have been $11,300."We're very fortunate that two houses were ripped down and it didn't cost us a penny," borough council President Angela Krapf said.Now, the borough has acquired a third property on Fisher Avenue, 146. Earlier this month a judge ordered that building to be demolished in 20 days because it is a threat to the public."Then hopefully we're going to make our way down to Ridge Street. That's the plan," Councilwoman Claire Remington said.The borough also added a new code enforcement officer in mid-August. Damien Quick has already started enforcing the borough's quality of life ordinance. He also enforces violations of the borough's rental inspection ordinance, which requires renters to get a permit when they are moving in or out of a property in the borough. Remington said that she was encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by the new official."He's on the ball," she said.The borough is planning a town hall meeting to introduce Quick to residents. It is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 18. The location hasn't been finalized, but council members said they would release more information closer to that date.Council also recently had all of the borough's streetlights upgraded to LED, with help from PPL. The utility agreed to replace all of the lights that were older than 10 years at no cost. Council had to pay for one light that was damaged by a vehicle several years ago, but it only cost them about $180. The expected energy savings from the project will save the borough about $800 per year."We got every light changed for 180-some dollars," councilman Harry Hontz Jr. said. "That was a good deal we thought."