The Borough of Tamaqua will be getting new Christmas decorations thanks to a grant from the J.E. Morgan Foundation.

During Monday’s meeting, council approved a resolution to accept $75,000 from the nonprofit organization.

Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt noted that the grant will be put toward new holiday décor.

The foundation carries on the philanthropy of Morgan, inventor of the waffle stitch and founder of the former J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills.

The foundation recently turned over its annual $60,000 donation to the borough to help keep fees to the community pool affordable for residents of the Tamaqua Area School District.

River walk grant

Council also approved a resolution to accept a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant that will help extend the borough’s river walk.

“If you recall, the plan is to extend the river walk from (East) Broad Street along the river by the hi-rise — and where that house was torn down — and connect it to the walkway that’s already alongside Boyer’s,” Steigerwalt said.

The $424,000 grant, which was announced last year, will help create another section of walkway on the other side of the Little Schuylkill River. The walkways will eventually connect by a pedestrian bridge.

The project is being led by the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.

Council approved the resolution, which will allow the borough to sign and submit documents for the PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Grant.

According to PennDOT, the grants provide funding for projects and activities defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities; infrastructure projects for improving nondriver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility; community improvement activities; environmental mitigation; trails that serve a transportation purpose; and safe routes to school projects.