Director of Community Development Mary Linkevich told Tamaqua Borough Council this week the borough did not receive a DCED grant they applied for and hoped to use to upgrade the bath houses at the Bungalow Park.

She said the borough has been holding CDBG funds since 2013 as a potential match for the grant, if they received it. Now that they have not received the grant, the borough is running out of time to use the funds. Linkevich said they can reapply for the grant next year, but then would most likely not have the matching funds available for the project. Council discussed other possible uses for the funding, including doing whatever upgrades are possible with the money to the bath houses."The plan was to use that money for improvements at the Bungalow, so we should do that," said Councilman Brian Connely.Linkevich also reported the borough has been informed that approximately $200,000 will be available through the CRIZ program. There is already one pending project application, and she added the borough will be doing more publicity to encourage more economic development applications. Linkevich also completed her trial period, and council moved to retain her as full-time director of community development.Cpl. Dwayne Hacker notified council of his intent to join the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) program as of Dec. 1, 2016.The parking and traffic committee recommended the approval of handicap parking space applications for 233 Cedar St., 112 N. Greenwood St., and 112 Schuylkill Ave.Councilman Kerry Lasky, chairwoman of the parking and traffic committee, provided an update on the ongoing Center Street project.Lasky said applications have been submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for a driveway permit in the area; however, she has been informed by PennDOT that due to staffing shortages, they will not be reviewing the submissions until 2017 at the earliest.The delay in the project could result in the expiration of the Main Street project, which is helping to fund the project, or interfere with the Wabash renovations, which are slated to start in 2018. Council discussed contacting state Sen. David Argall and state Rep. Jerry Knowles to see if the PennDOT approvals can be moved along.Council also reviewed a rough draft of a community map that is going to be placed on a podium at Depot Square Park through funding received from the Morgan Foundation. The map highlights areas of interest in the community, including recreational facilities, walking trails and historically interesting sites.