Bookings are up at Jim Thorpe's Memorial Hall.

Jim McHugh, the hall's general manager, told Jim Thorpe Borough Council at it's meeting Thursday evening the hall has been seeing a steady increase in scheduled events already for 2014."We ended 2013 with $143,000 and we already have deposits of $115,000 in booking for 2014. This puts us way ahead of last year," said McHugh.His comments came after Frank Sebelin, of Saint Joseph's Church, addressed council regarding the new, standardized contract being used by the borough for rental of Memorial Hall."Under the previous by-laws every nonprofit in town was entitled to use the building once a year at a nominal fee. It used to be $300. Last year we paid $500 to rent the hall for our Octoberfest. Now under this new contract we are being asked to pay $1,200 for the same thing; we can't afford that. We are going to have to find somewhere else to hold the event," Sebelin told the council."We have been undercharging for use of the hall for a long time," explained Jim McHugh, the hall's general manager. "So now we have a standardized contract which basically calls for $100 per hour to rent the hall."McHugh agreed to meet with Sebelin in private to discuss the matter further and to see if they could find a solution to make it more affordable for the church.In other business Thursday, Councilman John McGuire informed council that he would be calling a meeting with the local fire departments and their members to discuss the appointment of a new fire chief and two assistant chiefs."Once we have had a chance to meet with the parties and have their input we will bring the information back to the council for action," said McGuire.During public comment several items of interest were brought to the attention of council members.Jake Arner, representing Canyon Rim Estates LLC, renewed his request for an extension to the agreement he has with the borough regarding the development, the proposed improvements to Flagstaff Road and the storm water containment."The reason I am making the request is that the current agreement is scheduled to lapse in 2015," explained Arner. "I am in the process of obtaining capital investments for the project and by granting an extension through 2019 the dates on the agreement would be in alignment with the permits."Borough solicitor Thomas Nanovic did not feel that it was necessary to extend the agreement because the extension could be incorporated into the developer's plan, which is yet to be completed. Nanovic also explained that the agreement would serve to protect Canyon Rim Estates from any changes made to the zoning after the date of the agreement.Councilman Greg Strubinger made a motion to extend the agreement which passed by a vote of 5-2.Ryan McArdle also addressed council and presented members with his proposal for his Eagle Scout project."My project will be to turn the upstairs kitchen (of the Diligent Fire House #3), into an office space. I would like to extend the existing closet (by) four feet, get donations to replace the old table, tear up the vinyl flooring, varnish the existing wood floor and paint the walls," he explained.McArdle requested that council waive the permit fees as their contribution to the project, to which it did. McArdle said he hopes to finish his project by June."We often have Eagle Scouts do these types of project around town," said Councilman McGuire. "We really appreciate their hard work."