Tamaqua residents who don’t keep their grass cut face fines.

During Tuesday’s borough council meeting, borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt said code enforcement officials are enforcing the borough’s Quality of Life ordinance.

According to the ordinance, borough code officers can issue tickets to property owners who have high weeds, grass or plant growth more than 10 inches high.

“I know it’s difficult with the bad weather,” Steigerwalt said of cutting grass on the recent rainy days.

Also during the meeting, council accepted the resignation of Tamaqua police Patrolman Phoenix Ritchie.

In a letter announcing his resignation, Ritchie noted that he had accepted a position with the Hamburg Police Department in Berks County.

Councilwoman Kathy Kunkel motioned to accept Ritchie’s resignation “with regret.”

He was hired by Tamaqua in May 2024.

In an unrelated matter, council hired nine part-time lifeguards for the pool at Bungalow Park at a rate of $10 per hour and two part-time pool clerks at a rate of $9 per hour. Lifeguards and clerks will receive an additional 25 cents per hour for each year worked.

Steigerwalt noted that a public hearing to discuss Community Development Block Grant funding will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 15 at council chambers. The hearing will proceed the council meeting.

He added that the borough will add 401 Willing St. to its demolition list. The property will be torn down with CDBG and Schuylkill County funds.