A Palmerton couple has implored borough officials to take swift action to quell the heightened level of vandalism at an historical structure in the borough.

Joe Federanich of the Palmerton Bandstand Committee, told borough council on Thursday that damage continues to occur at an alarming rate to the bandstand in the borough park.

“Things are escalating, instead of de-escalating,” Federanich said. “It’s gotten to the point (someone’s) gotten hurt.”

Federanich then urged council to “take the bull by the horns and do something.”

“(The bandstand’s) got a couple thousands of dollars of damage,” he said. “I really wish you’d do something.”

Borough Manager Donna McGarry said, “We know there’s been problems.”

McGarry said that she reached out to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission because the bandstand is a historical structure. Unfortunately, she said they had no suggestions other than what the borough is doing.

Marj Federanich, who spoke on behalf of the Concourse Club of Palmerton, said, “The bandstand has become (the) icon of Palmerton,” Marj said. “Now, all we’re seeing is destruction and nothing being done about it.”

Marj Federanich suggested putting a sign up stating no bicycles, skateboards, or loitering is allowed inside the bandstand so that there’s some type of presence of a warning.

She referred an incident in which a juvenile was injured near the bandstand.

“We don’t need things like that here,” Marj said. “We’re asking for Palmerton to do something to protect this (icon).”

Councilman Andrew Hollywood said he didn’t believe a sign would make a difference.

“We can’t legislate people to behave properly,” Hollywood said.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell said that vandalism in the park isn’t just relegated to the bandstand.

Mayor Don Herrmann said the police department has been proactive in its approach.

“We’ve already taken a couple of kids to court (specific to the bandstand),” Herrmann said. “We are doing things.”

McGarry said there are things she wants to go over with borough police Chief Tim Kromer.

“I do want to get with the chief to shore up our parks ordinances to be sure the police department has the tools they need to enforce problems,” McGarry said.

Herrmann said, “We have a lot of repeat offenders.”

Council President Terry Costenbader added, “It’s got to start somewhere, and it starts at home.”

Borough police Detective Kevin Buck said, “If you don’t want kids in there (in the bandstand), it has to be posted.”

“We’re doing what we can,” Buck said. “You have to be specific, or you leave loopholes.”

Marj Federanich said that people have spent a lot of money and made many contributions to ensure the bandstand would remain a vital component of the park.

McGarry said she hopes to have an ordinance for the bandstand in time for next month’s council meeting.

In August, Councilman Cory Kepner said there’s been some consideration to closing the bandstand to general access, with use only allowed by permission of council, and that council has considered looking at new camera systems.

Also at that time, council denied a request for bathrooms in the borough park.

In July, Kepner said a bicycle damaged the bandstand, and it’s believed the perpetrators who caused it are from outside the borough.

Kromer said that the borough’s ordinance does not allow bicycles, skateboards or scooters in the bandstand.

The newly remodeled bandstand had been damaged within days after the iconic structure was rededicated during a ceremony in the borough park in September.

The Donald and Mary Behler Foundation stepped in with all of the funding for the construction costs of the project.

Before that, Joe Federanich said it had been more than 30 years since any improvements had been made to the bandstand.