Public areas such as parks and playgrounds in Summit Hill could soon become designated as smoke-free areas, if a proposal discussed by the borough council is approved.

The council said it is considering participating in a “young lungs at play” program in which public places where children gather would become “100 percent tobacco free.”

Councilman David Wargo said he supports the proposal, saying, “It could be good to provide a healthy environment for children.”

Karen Ruzicka, also a member of council, said she would like to see it implemented for bus stops, too.

The council said it must look into the proposal further before any action can be taken.

Joseph Weber, a councilman, said he wants to see sample ordinances before making a decision.

In other borough action:

• The borough is seeking applications for a part-time secretary.

Applications can be given to Kira Steber, secretary/treasurer, at the borough hall during regular business hours.

The council agreed to hire former assistant secretary Mary Ann Eickhoff on an as-needed basis.

• The council and Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina issued a public “congratulations” to Panther Valley High School senior Drew Kokinda for winning the District 11 golf tournament.

• Szczecina said the Diligence Fire Company is hosting a Halloween dance on Oct. 21.

• Trick-or-treat night in the borough is from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, The rain date is 6-8 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Wargo gave an update on his desire for the borough to apply for an LSA grant from the Pa. Department of Community and Economic Development to develop a tourism visitor center in the borough.

He said the borough has received letters of support from several other municipalities on the project, including Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning, Lansford, the Carbon County commissioners, the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development, as well as from state Sen. David Argall and state Rep. Doyle Heffley.

Recently Wargo hosted a bus trip to Gettysburg in conjunction with establishing such a visitor center.

He said receiving the LSA grant is “a prestigious designation” which comes around approximately every 15 years.

Wargo said the nearest community which has received such a grant in the past was Tamaqua.

The program, he said, “is not politically based as much as it is community based.”

• The council will consider increasing rental inspection fees. The fees are $75. Wargo proposed that they be increased to $90, with a $50 fee for re-inspections. No formal action was done on the matter pending further review.