Tamaqua will be proceeding with the first step in the process that could eventually end with the municipality owning the 400-plus streetlights located throughout the borough.

Council unanimously approved the expenditure of $47,800 to conduct a preliminary engineering study of the existing light fixtures.The heat was on the borough to approve the measure before the Oct. 31 deadline set by PPL. If the borough had failed to act by that time, the project would not proceed.Following an extensive report by Councilman Dan Evans earlier this month, council committed to taking the first step in a process that could end up costing the borough $600,000, but could save them up close to $80,000 annually in electric bills and associated tariffs.The initial expenditure will be paid out of one of the borough's revolving funds, however, when financing is secured for the entire project, the $47,800 will be rolled into the overall project funding.Due to the need to act quickly, the borough has not yet finalized financing details for the project.In other money-saving news, acting borough manager Rob Jones said the Seltzer Group, which works with the borough to secure workers' compensation insurance, has reviewed the borough's options with Jones.He is recommending the borough switch the firefighters to the State Worker Insurance Fund, which will increase that premium approximately $1000, but move the other borough workers into the Municipal Risk Management group, which will save the borough approximately $17,000 annually in premiums, and could ultimately result in the borough receiving dividends on the premiums."It could be a self-sustaining policy," Jones said.Borough Secretary-Treasurer Georgia Depos DeWire informed council the borough's minimum municipal obligations for the pension funds for 2017 are $275,112 for the police, $77,842 for the nonuniformed workers, and $24,000 for the defined contribution plan.Depos DeWire said the borough received approximately $172,000 in state aid in 2015, and they are still waiting for the final numbers for the 2016 contribution. The borough will be obligated to contribute the remaining balance.Council threw out all bids received for used equipment and will reopen the bidding. Information on what equipment is available can be obtained at the borough building.Council approved the advertisement for bid for the demolition of 13 and 15 S. Lehigh St., pending HARC approval.Jones advised council that the sidewalk renovations in the area of the Family Dollar store in the downtown will be completed before winter; however, deficiencies in the sidewalk and driveway area of the adjacent property, Burger King, have been noted, and will also require updates and upgrades to be ADA compliant.Jones said those repairs may take longer, but Burger King has been cooperative.Council discussed pursuing grant funding for upgrades and repairs to the crosswalk areas in the vicinity of the intersection of Broad and Lehigh streets.Director of Community Development Mary Linkevich said grant funding should be a viable option, due to the fact the area is a direct pedestrian route to the schools in the borough.Council approved another temporary extension of a handicap parking permit at 305 Spruce St. and issued a certificate of appropriateness for a porch improvement at 730 E. Broad St.South Ward resident Tom Schlorf questioned why repairs have not been made to the 200 Block of South Street.Schlorf made council aware of the poor condition of the road two months ago, and he wanted to know why the repairs have been delayed. Jones said the road is "on the list" and when the borough gets blacktop, it will get repaired.Evans addressed some residents' concerns that had been brought up earlier this month regarding the police activity in the borough."The August numbers, in terms of complaints," he said, "we are up 52 complaints, and up 15 criminal arrests for the year. I understand the concerns, and I would just like to go on the record and say that I believe the Tamaqua police are doing an excellent job, and the numbers bear that out."Council held an executive session for personnel matters.