Tamaqua residents will not see an increase in their municipal taxes next year; however, they can expect to see an increase in their sewer rates, although the amount has not been announced yet. Council voted 6-1 in favor of the 2021 budget and tax ordinance, with Councilman Brian Connely casting the lone dissenting vote.

Connely informed council of the impending rate increase on behalf of the borough authority.

“We’re at a point where we have to bring the system up to current state,” he said, adding that most of the system was still operating on the original 1962 installation.

Connelly added that DEP has become involved and that the borough cannot put these upgrades off any longer.

“We’ve given the engineer the go-ahead, and the bottom line is that we need to look at an increase in our rates in accordance with a normal increase, and that will be announced shortly,” he said.

Following the administration of the civil service testing, it was announced that officer Dwayne Hacker will be promoted from corporal to sergeant. The promotion will become official on Dec. 27, the date that the new police contract goes into effect.

Council hired James R. Connely and Scott Schmalzer as part-time code enforcement officers at a rate of $15 per hour. Each of them is expected to work about 16 hours a week. Thomas Nelson was hired as a part-time seasonal worker at a rate of $12.50 an hour. Anthony Valient was hired as a part-time police officer.

Council voted to increase fees charged by the tax collector, from $10 to $15 for tax certification and from $5 to $10 for duplicate tax bills.

Handicap parking permits were issues for 126 Penn St. and 116 Washington St.

Council approved placing $1,000 in an escrow account, along with three other municipalities, for potential changes to the Eastern Schuylkill Planning ordinances.

Council held an executive session to discuss legal matters.