Tamaqua council to resume in-person meetings
It is back to business as usual for Tamaqua Borough Council.
Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt said that last week’s vote by the state Legislature to end the emergency disaster declaration means that Zoom is no longer an alternative for the borough’s committees and boards and they must resume in-person meetings.
He did say that the state association of boroughs is looking into making virtual meetings an option in the future, but that at the current time they are not.
Also making a return are Tamaqua’s annual Summerfest and fire company activities.
Council approved the historical society’s Summerfest event to be held on Sunday, rain or shine, and a request from the Citizens Fire Company to hold their annual bazaar and firetruck parade on July 9, 10 and 11.
Council awarded the contract for the Lincoln Street Wall project to Semmel Excavating, in the amount of $67,762, based on their submission of the low bid for the project and the recommendation of the borough engineer.
The borough’s street resurfacing program will begin on June 28, and is expected to last about a week. Sections of East Elm (Market to Elizabeth), Market (East Elm to Union), Pitt (Jerome to West Elm), West Elm (Pitt to Nescopec), Nescopec (West Elm to Clay), and Clay (Nescopec to West) will be getting resurfaced.
The borough is accepting demolition bids for 252 W. Cottage Ave. and 307 E. Broad St.
Steigerwalt hopes to be able to act on projects at 130 Clay S. and 517 Washington St. as well.
He announced that the borough has received $100,000 in a grant from the state as part of the blight remediation program.
“This will be a big help,” he said.
Other business
• Jeffrey Hartz was hired as chief mechanic, starting immediately.
• Nathaniel Kovalchick was hired as a part-time seasonal worker.
• Casey Akins and Lexi Buchala were hired as lifeguards.
• Certificates were issued for improvements to 409 W. Broad St. and 520 Arlington St.
• Approval granted to the Chamber of Commerce to park food trucks in the North Railroad Street parking lot on July 8 and Aug. 5, during the summer concerts held at the Train Station.
• Tamaqua Ambulance Association was recognized for donating badly needed emergency equipment to the Bungalow Pool, including a stair chair and a stretcher.
• A settlement of $6,000 was accepted against a demolition lien on a property at 523 N. Railroad St.
• Council held executive sessions prior to the regular meeting and after it to discuss real estate, legal and personnel matters.