Although the opening date still isn’t definitive, Tamaqua Borough Council went ahead with the hiring of personnel to staff the Howard D. Buehler Memorial pool for the summer.

Additionally, they announced that prices for passes and daily rates would remain the same as previous years, however, sales would be limited to residents of the Tamaqua and Panther Valley School Districts to help keep the crowd at the pool low.

They also approved the purchase of a $4,495 cleaning unit that will be used twice daily to deep clean and disinfect the pool facilities.

Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt said that the expense was a “necessary cost of doing business this year.” The borough will also require compliance with the guidelines set out by the state for social distancing at the pool.

Ben Turrano and Jacob Rudy were hired as assistant managers. Ethan Turrano and Kailyn Erbe were hired as head lifeguards. Haley Macalush, Olivia Lattanzi, Christine Dover, and Kailee Carroll were hired as clerks.

Nichole Aguero-Ramirez, Caroline Balogash, Makenna Carroll, Emma Coccio, Brynn Gigli, Logan Hess, Rachel Hinkle, Ashley Jones, Kirsten Jones, Olivia Jones, Serena Jones, Emily Newton, Kaitlyn Schlanta, Sophia Susarchick, Hailey Toth, Megan Toth, Kylee Wenzel, Emily Breslin, Casey Akins, and James Akins were hired as part-time lifeguards.

Pool pass applications are available throughout the community and will also be sold at the pool when it opens.

Steigerwalt advised council that Owl Creek Road repairs will be beginning and will be ongoing for quite some time. The road is slated to be chipped and tarred from Route 309 to the county line; however, there are many areas that need to be patched and sealed before that work can begin.

Council approved necessary repairs for an air handling unit at the borough building in the amount of $9,750.

Police chief Henry Woods informed council that the Narcan distribution that was to be held at the Tamaqua Area High School has been moved to the school district building on West Broad Street instead.

Council approved certificates of appropriateness based on HARC recommendations for properties at 41 Market St., 265 W. Rowe St., 45 Market St., 238 E. Broad St., 741 E. Broad St., 234 High St., 528 Arlington St., 424 Arlington St., and 311 E. Broad St.

Council will be looking into selling old street signs to interested parties.

Council met in executive session on May 29 for personnel matters, and held an executive session following the regular meeting.