At the regular monthly meeting of the Nesquehoning Borough Council held last night, resident Irene Genther brought to the attention of council a report of high acidity levels in the soil near the Cogeneration plant.

Genther, who serves on an advisory citizen's board to the Congeneration plant, said that reports showed an acidity level in the soil of 1.8. Normal pH levels are between 5 and 7 and that a 1.8 level was "astronomical" and "an environmental concern," Genther said.Genther also mentioned that the plant recently published a public notice in the paper with its intention to renew the existing permit, with any public comments to be directed to state Department of Environmental Protection. Council then voted to have solicitor Robert Yurchak send a letter to DEP requesting that new testing be performed and that council be advised of the results.Councilwoman Rose Walck noted that if test results do in fact indicate a problem with the acidity levels, she is certain that the plant would "correct the problem."Yurchak reported that paperwork had been submitted to attorney Michael Greek to submit to the district attorney's office against Municipal Energy Managers. He also said that a civil suit against the company is pending.Greek serves as solicitor for Lansford, Coaldale and Tamaqua, towns that signed contracts with MEM to have the Lackawanna County firm negotiate the purchase of street lights from PPL. MEM had promised the towns thousands of dollars in savings by owning rather than leasing the lights. MEM promised to seek lower energy costs, and upgrade and maintain the equipment, but did nothing. The towns are now stuck paying off substantial bank loans they took out to pay for the work.MEM principals Robert J. Kearns and Patrick J. McLaine were charged with fraud earlier this month after allegedly siphoning $832,460 from Bethlehem Township under a similar scheme.Mayor Tony Walck publicly lauded Police Chief Sean Smith and the borough's officers and read a letter from Tamaqua Police Chief Dave Mattson addressed to Smith, Coaldale Chief Tim Delaney and Lansford Chief John Turcmanovich regarding the assistance of area officers during an incident on Feb. 5.On that night two suspects believed to be involved with a string of armed robberies were apprehended following a high-speed chase from Tamaqua to Nesquehoning. The officers assisted in "apprehending the suspects without anyone getting hurt and putting an end to a crime spree."The letter also stated that "it should be a great comfort to the citizens of this area that they have dedicated and professional officers that work together, investigate crimes and apprehend these dangerous criminals."Walck then thanked the chief for his efforts during a drug investigation in 2010 where by cash was seized during the arrest that will now be given back to the police department.Council approved a request from Officer Carl Breiner to attend firearm instruction. There is no charge to the borough for the course but officer Breiner will be paid for his time and allotted $200 for ammunition.Council also approved a request from Chief Smith to recertify the officers in taser usage. The fee for the recertification is $160.Fire Chief John McArdle announced that only one bid was received for the purchase of a new aerial truck. KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment) was the only bidder with a bid of $782,502. McArdle requested approval to secure a loan in the amount of $180,000 for the portion of the truck expense not met by the $617,500 grant the fire company received along with any additional costs that may be incurred. Council approved his request.The Nesquehoning Conservation Club asked council for permission to continue removing Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant species, along the bridge to Maple Shade Meadows. The weed crowds out native species of plants. Council members were more than happy to approve the request and thanked the Conservation Club for all of the work they do for the benefit of the community.A request made by the American Cancer Society to hold its yearly collections at the intersection of Mermon and Catawissa and by Route 93 was approved by council. The collection dates will be March 2 and 16.The next crime watch meeting will be held on March 19 at 7 p.m. at the borough hall.