Tamaqua Borough Council members will spend this holiday season much the same way they spent last holiday season — hunting for a new borough solicitor.

Michael J. O’Connor, Esq., of the Frackville-based law firm Michael J. O’Connor and Associates, announced his resignation from the solicitorship via a letter read by council president Kenneth J. Smulligan during Tuesday’s regular session.

O’Connor had replaced longtime solicitor Jeffrey Bowe, Esq., in January of this year at a retainer of $7,500, plus a $90-per-hour stipend for additional work required by the council.

The departing legal counsel cited his firm’s increasing commitment to Workers’ Compensation business that has occupied the time of its lawyers.