Safer Streets for Tamaqua's Little Feet and the Tamaqua Salvation Army are teaming up to help provide those in need with warm winter clothes.

The organizations received approval from Tamaqua Borough Council on Tuesday to place a "Giving Tree" in Depot Square park and a collection box in front of the old CVS building at the east end of town.They will be collecting new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, mittens and boots. The items will then be hung on a tree in Depot Square, free for anyone who is in need of them. The tree will be available from Saturdaythrough Feb. 28.'Giving Tuesday'Tamaqua Mayor Christian Morrison also proclaimed the Tuesday after Thanksgiving as "Giving Tuesday" in Tamaqua."Giving Tuesday" is a global movement that encourages people to make donations to charitable organizations and appreciate volunteerism in their communities, following the mass consumption of days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.Morrison presented the proclamation to Major Sharon Whispell of the Tamaqua Salvation Army.Other business• Tamaqua Council approved the certificate of appropriateness for a "Wayfinder" map to be installed at Depot Square park. The map will be mounted on a podium and show key points of interest in the community for pedestrians who pass through the area.• Council also approved a certificate of appropriateness for the demolition of garages at the rear of 21 N. Greenwood St. There was much discussion about the immediate need for the structure to come down. However, borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt said that code enforcement is still trying to get the property owner to resolve the matter. Council approved the immediate demolition if the structure is determined by code enforcement to be an emergency.• Steigerwalt said the street sweeper will most likely be run for one more week, and then cease operation due to cold weather.• Council accepted the resignation of Earl H. Boettger from the board of health. They also received a request from the board of health to increase the stipend of the secretary by $25, bringing it to $90 a month, and by $25 for the health officer, bringing it to $80 per month. The request stated there has not been a raise for these positions in over 40 years.• Director of Community Development Mary Linkevich said the borough has received confirmation that the streetlight project is proceeding and council can expect to hear feedback in late winter or early spring.• Council voted to suspend the low-interest loan program offered by the borough until open accounts are brought into a current status. Council is just suspending the application for new loans, not anything related to already existing loans.• Council held an executive session to discuss real estate and personnel matters. After returning from executive session, they voted to raise police officer Rick Bekesy's pay to $20 per hour, effective next pay period.