The Tamaqua Police Department and the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Drug Task Force took center stage at Tuesday's meeting of Tamaqua Borough Council as law enforcement personnel were commended for their efforts Monday in one of the largest drug raid operations in the borough.

During the public safety committee's report, Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver provided an update on an electronic speed timing device the department was testing with an eye to a possible purchase. Weaver indicated the device was currently set up on Owl Creek Road and had been in use in various parts of the community for the past month."While the sign is a good piece of equipment and worth the cost, I'd recommend we hold off on purchasing it as the department has a number of other priorities right now."Those priorities include spending $15,635.90 for new computer equipment and software for the department, needed to bring the department up to date with required upgrades.Council President Micah Gursky then commended the department for Monday's drug dealer roundup, saying, "Keep up the good work. Make sure everyone involved knows how much the council and people of Tamaqua appreciate their efforts."Mayor Morrison then provided some background information on the department's drug-busting efforts, noting it started in 2006 when Weaver, then a corporal, was instrumental in establishing the Tamaqua Narcotics Team under former chief Charles "Butch" Hartung."It has grown substantially since then, removing a lot of drug dealers from our streets. Roundups like Monday's are a testament to the blood, sweat and tears the department and Schuylkill County Drug Task Force spend trying to make our communities safer. They are second to none," the mayor said.Councilman Justin Startzel made a motion to send official letters of commendation to everyone involved. It passed unanimously.In other business, council approved a handicapped parking space at 210 Pitt St. and approved spending $5,658 to install new 30-year shingles on the district magistrate's office. The bid for the shingling was awarded to JW Contracting of Tamaqua. The borough owns the building housing the magistrate's office.Council approved the following:• a request from Leona Rega of the Tamaqua Safety Initiative for parking and sidewalk restrictions in the area of the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, 125 Pine St., for the National Night Out on Aug. 5. Rega also asked for help with providing safe pedestrian access between North Railroad and Pine streets, as the Tamaqua Salvation Army will be hosting an all-day carnival at the Railroad Street parking lot.• a request from the American Hose No. 1 to hold its annual festival from Aug. 1-3. The volunteer fire company has applied to PennDOT for a permit to close the first block of Pine Street to traffic as of 8 a.m. July 31.• a request from the Boy Scouts of America to hold a camporee at the Owl Creek Reservoir on Sept. 26, 27 and 28. The districtwide event will include possibly 150 Scouts, plus leaders, from throughout Schuylkill County. The Scouts will be completing a service project for the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission during the three-day event.Council also approved the construction of two new structures at the Lower Owl Creek Reservoir. Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. of Schuylkill Haven will construct a storage shed at a cost of $11,620, while Storage Solutions by Snyder LLC of New Ringgold will construct a ticket booth at a cost of $1,985. Funding for the buildings will not come from public funds, as grant money was secured through the John E. Morgan Foundation.