Palmerton Borough Council took the following action on Thursday:

• Approved the renewal of a one-year sludge removal contract with Waste Management from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, at the rate of $98.20 per ton.

• Hired Todd Merkel as Public Works Supervisor, effective March 2. Merkel will replace Barry Scherer, who is retiring.

• Agreed to advertise to fill a Public Works position due to the retirement of Leroy Scherer.

• Approved the 2021 borough employee salary schedule.

• Requested a chain and “closed” signs be placed across the entrance to the bandstand in the borough park due to vandalism being done to the bandstand.

• Approved an increase in the tax collector’s commission from 1% to 1.25% of discount and base tax collections effective 2022.

• Adopted a resolution appointing Kirk, Summa & Co. LLP, to perform all audits of the 2020 accounts.

• Adopted a resolution authorizing the application for a credit card. Authorized users of credit cards are the borough manager, chief of police and public works supervisor.

• Approved various board and commission appointments.

• Recognized employees Kim Rodrigues and Leroy Scherer for 25 years of service, as well as Barry Scherer, William Strauch and Kevin Buck for 15 years of service.

• Extended the emergency declaration currently in place due to COVID-19 by 90 days from Dec. 20.

- Terry Ahner