Tamaqua Fire Chief Jim Connely presented recognition plaques to Tommy Nelson, William Morana and John Arner for their heroic efforts during a fire that occurred in the borough on Aug. 12.

“Four adults and one child were trapped on a balcony, and through the skillful efforts of Melson, Morana and Arner, they got them all down,” said Connely. Morana and Arner are with the Coaldale Fire Department.

Earlier this week, Coaldale Borough Council honored the three men for the incident with certificates and plaques.

In other business

• Council held an executive session for personnel matters, and came back to the meeting to announce that they would be posting internally for the police chief vacancy. Police Chief Henry Woods’ last day is Oct. 31.

• The borough received notification from the American Legion Post that due to the ongoing pandemic situation, the borough’s annual Veterans Day parade will be canceled.

The Legion Post will be holding a gun salute at the monuments in the borough to commemorate the day.

• It was noted that the Owl Creek Road paving project is just about complete. There is one outstanding issue in that the project was originally to include a 20-foot width of roadway to be seal coated.

Bowman said, “There are very few places we received 20 feet, and there are places where we are less than 19 feet.”

Bowman suggested either paying for the service as it was provided or having the contractor come back and provide the 20 feet that were contracted for.

At this time, it is unclear which option will be pursued, but Bowman said the road is “100% better than we’re used to seeing out there.”

• The borough approved the purchase of a thermal imaging drone in the amount of $2,300. The drone may possibly be used by code enforcement and the police departments; however, training and licensure will need to be completed before the drone is operational.

• Handicap parking spaces were approved for 432 Arlington St. and 244 Mauch Chunk St. Certificates of appropriateness were granted for 14 W. Broad St., 100 E. Broad St., 248 Mauch Chunk St., 409 E. Broad St., 523 Arlington St., and 18 S. Lehigh St.

One was not approved for 555 E. Broad St., which was a request by the East End Fire Company to install an LED sign. The denial was recommended because internally illuminated signs are not allowed in the historic district.

Mace said that although he supports the communication effort the fire company is trying to achieve, he feels that approving the request would open up a “Pandora’s box.”

Mace said that the borough always has the opportunity to re-examine the ordinance related to signs in the historic district and modify it, but “tonight is not the night.”

• Mayor Nathan Gerace said that he would be announcing details concerning trick-or-treat night on his Facebook page in the near future.

Mace questioned Gerace as to whether or not trick-or-treat would be held.

When Gerace said that he would be posting that on his Facebook page, Mace said that he thought a simple yes or no should be provided, with further details being announced later.

Gerace said “buy the candy,” but he is still in conversations about what the best and safest way to hold the event would be and when it will be held.