Tackling community problems and improvements, the Bowmanstown Borough continues to work to create a higher-quality living environment.

The Bowmanstown Borough Council discussed important issues such as garbage removal, construction project updates, and designated handicap parking areas in their monthly meeting on Tuesday.Garbage and recycling sparked the conversation Tuesday night when the council continued to critique the Palmerton garbage and recycling ordinance. The borough plans to continue to make minor changes to the ordinance and adopt the new and improved rules as their own.The first change made to the Palmerton ordinance was that the containers used for trash do not need to be metal."I don't even know anyone who still uses a metal trash can," Mayor William Ravert said.Garbage must be put out 24 hours before pickup and containers must be removed by 6 p.m. the day of removal.Removal costs will be due 30 days following the date of the bill and a 10 percent penalty will be added if it is not paid by then. Commercial properties will have the option of choosing their own trash collecting service.The large yellow recycling container will be removed from the community within the next couple weeks because of its condition and rare use.Borough Councilman Rob Moyer said the container is becoming, "a bit of an eyesore."He said the container is barely used and that curbside recycling is available if residents care to recycle.The grant received by the borough for new recycling bins was voted to be used along with approximately $1,000 from the borough's budget to pay for them. They are 20-gallon containers and will have "Bowmanstown Recycles" printed on the side.The next order of business discussed at the meeting was an update on the White Street guide rail project. There will be a double nested guide rail lining the road to improve the safety for drivers. Construction for the project is on hold until the plans are discussed with the county.Another popular topic of the meeting was an update on the cell tower project.The new cell tower will be on the corner of Lime and Spring streets. Construction on the cell tower has been underway for a few weeks and is on schedule to be finished sometime in April.