Tensions appear to be mounting in relation to the completion of a paving project in Palmerton Borough.

During Thursday's council meeting, Mayor Christopher Olivia questioned when Harvard Avenue, which had a water line replaced last year, would be completed with a paving job. New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company, which won the bid for the paving project, originally listed the start date in the beginning of July, though the board confirmed that work has been pushed back until the second week of August."It was reported at the last meeting that by July 5, they were going to start blacktopping, and I don't see any blacktopping," Olivia said.Olivia suggested bidding out the project again, which President Terry Costenbader said was not an option, as the board was required to take the low bidder in such projects."When somebody tells you that they're going to start around July, you take them at their word for it," Costenbader said. "The catch to it is, if they say, 'No, we can't do it then, we're pushing you back to the second week of August,' that's the way it is. You can't change the contractor."Council member Holly Sell explained that numerous factors contribute to delays in these construction projects."This is normal in the way of construction," Sell said. "They probably have contracts with other people that they are trying to finish, too. This is the world of construction. Weather plays a hand in it, too, when it comes to getting jobs done."Olivia suggested that future projects include a particular start date, which Costenbader said is a possibility. Contracts for these projects tend to include a completion date."There is a clause in the contract that if they don't complete the job by a certain time, there are financial ramifications for the contractor that bid on this job. In other words, if they don't get the job done, they get fined," council member and Streets and Sidewalks chairman William Gallagher said.In the end, Olivia accepted the new start date, though he may still promote the inclusion of start dates in future contracts.Other businessThe board is seeking a new member for the Civil Service Commission. The group, which usually meets one to three times annually, focuses on administering testing for full-time patrol officers in the borough. Other duties can include disciplinary actions, though member Kris Hoffner said that the commission has not had to conduct these measures as long as he has been involved. Anyone interested in the position can send a letter of interest to the Borough Hall.The board voted to advertise a Stormwater Management Ordinance, which details measures meant to promote proper natural drainage systems, maintain legal water requirements, reduce runoff and more.