Summit Hill is getting new Christmas lights this year and, in a neighborly gesture, the borough unanimously agreed to give its used lights to Coaldale.

A committee of private citizens, headed by borough council member Marlene Basiago, raised the funds to purchase new lights for the borough.

The council agreed that it would give the old lights to Coaldale at no cost, and that Coaldale was receptive to the proposal.

Council member Alan Kruslicky said the only stipulation is that Coaldale must pick them up.

David Wargo, president of the council, said he was told by a representative of Coaldale that the borough “will be grateful for them.”

Other business

In other matters at this month’s regular council meeting:

• Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina said trick-or-treat night will be held on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. with the rain date being Nov. 1. Normally, it’s held on Halloween, which falls on Friday, Oct. 31.

Trick-or-treating was changed to the 30th because a Panther Valley High School football game might be played on Oct. 31.

• The borough set fall cleanup dates. On Saturday, Oct. 18, the east side of town, Knepper’s Trailer Court, and both sides of White Bear Drive will be picked up. On Saturday, Oct. 25, cleanup will be on the west side of town, Laurel Drive, and both sides of Mountaintop Road.

Kira Steber, secretary-treasurer of the borough, said if there are questions about cleanup week, then contact her at the borough hall.

• The council gave permission to Diligence Fire Company to close specific streets on Oct. 4, for the dedication of two firetrucks as well as an equipment parade.

The judging of equipment for the parade will occur from 10 a.m. to noon on that date, with the parade beginning at 1 p.m. The dedication program will be at about 1:30 p.m.

• The council tabled action on switching to Diversity Billing Systems for sending garbage bills and other bills from the borough. Last month, Wargo said a proposal was received from Diversified with a quote of $16,040 for the first year, which includes the setup, and yearly fees after that of $5,600.

Steber said the borough is paying about $8,000 more per year for its current system. She also said she had contacted the present operators, MuniBilling, for quotes but hasn’t received a response.

The council agreed to give MuniBilling more time to provide a new quote.

• The council tabled a request to do mulching and make other improvements to two borough parks until it works on a new budget. Basiago proposed that mulch be purchased for the Bill Black Park and Ginder Field and that improvements be made to the track at the field. She estimated it would cost about $6,000 for the supplies.

• Steber said insurance rates for the new year will increase by about $20,000 for the borough. She said workers’ compensation insurance is the main reason for the rate hike.

• Kruslicky said a new borough dump truck that was ordered is ready for delivery. The price of the truck is $124,722. The council agreed to put $20,000 down and finance the balance through Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank over seven years at an interest rate of 5.49 percent. The vehicle being replaced will be sold at a municipal auction.