Lansford Borough Council voted this week to place the former Zimmerman Produce building up for sale. The building, on Dock Street, was included with the purchase of the Lansford Train Station building.

“We have no use for the building, not the way it’s built,” Council President Bruce Markovich said.

Council passed a motion to have Solicitor Robert Yurchak draw up the papers for the sale.

The property was purchased earlier this year from Ken and Jeannie Hill, who ran their machine shop out of Lansford’s old train station for half a century.

The town now hopes the station will serve as a hub of activity.

“This station is the key to a lot of future economic development here in the borough,” Markovich said.

The station opened in 1925, served by the Lehigh and New England Railroad. Up until the 1960s, it moved passengers and freight to New York’s Hudson Valley and points in between.

Over the years, many of the buildings from the LNE and Lansford’s mining heyday were lost to demolition. The station survived in relatively good condition, thanks to the Hills.

According to county records, the borough paid $75,000 for the property.

Other business

Council accepted the resignation of Colton Black, who worked for the borough work force for seven years, part and full time. Council President Bruce Markovich said they would send Black a letter thanking him for his work.

Council also voted to advertise for a new work force employee. Councilman William Chuma suggested the following criteria:

“The candidate must have a CDL license with dump trucks and snow plow experience. Excavator experience is a plus. Lawn care, x mark, and tree work experience needed. Must be able to work alone with no supervision. Must be available to work when called. Road construction and maintenance experience is a plus. Nights, weekends and holidays are required.”

The borough’s 2015 International Dump Truck needs significant repairs, according to Councilman William Chuma.

“It’s going to need a turbo,” Chuma said. “That’s 40 to 45 hours labor, about $4,000 to $5,000 for labor. And the turbo is probably $4,000 to $5,000.”

Chuma said it’s the only big truck the borough has left, so repairs need to be done. PVC Sales and Service in Tamaqua, gave an estimate of $8,000 to $10,000.

Chuma said that the 2008 Ford F350 had a piston go bad, and will cost approximately $1,500 to repair, according to Tamaqua Truck and Trailer.

Council voted to approve repairs to the 2015 International, not to exceed $10,000 without further council approval. They also voted to approve repairs to the 2008 Ford, not to exceed $1,500 without further council approval.