Tamaqua Borough will be changing its online utility bill payment program.

Jay Stidham, director of public works, said the borough will now use Paystar to collect payments from those who pay their garbage, water and sewer bills online.

It had previously used Muni-Link; however, that service is being discontinued.

“So we needed to switch to a new company,” Stidham said, referring to Paystar.

Those who paid online through Muni-Link will automatically be grandfathered into the new payment system and will be able to use it for free.

Those who will be new to paying online, however, will be charged $1.50 per each transaction through Paystar.

“They’re all pretty much charging fees anymore,” Stidham said. “The benefit to Paystar is we can use credit cards again. Right now, we don’t take credit cards.”

The borough will be able to accept credit card payments over the phone or in person.

“If you come in and pay, it’s free,” said Stidham said, as fees will only be charged to new customers paying online. “If you already pay online, you are grandfathered in, it’s not going to cost you anything.”

In other business, council:

• Approved sending Tamaqua police officers David Krape and Andrew Seip to a field training officer course at the Pennsylvania State Police Northeast Training Center in Wilkes-Barre on July 29 and 30 at no cost.

• Approved a handicapped parking space application for 303 Biddle St.

• Approved several change orders for the Tamaqua Police Station and community center project including water fountains with bottle fillers, different types of toilets in holding cells and glazing for third-floor windows.

• Received a letter from Mark Bower, chief of the South Ward Fire Company and assistant borough chief, thanking them for the opportunity to attend the recent Fire Department Instructors Conference International conference in Indianapolis. He said the experience will help grow the Tamaqua Fire Department and move it into the future.