Collection agencies were hired to collect garbage collection fees and real estate taxes from people who are in arrears.

Central Credit Audit Inc. of Sunbury was hired by a 4-2 vote to collect fees from property owners who are delinquent on garbage collection bills.

Council member Debra Ranck made the motion to hire Central Credit Audit, while Karen Ruzicka seconded the motion. Also in favor were Sara Ruch and David Wargo. Opposed were council President Michael Kokinda and Gregory Kosciolek, who said they didn’t have enough information about the firm. Councilman Billy O’Gurek was absent.

Initially a suggestion was made to have a representative of Central Credit Audit meet with the council next month. Ranck asked if the firm could be hired without needing a presentation from the firm. She then made the motion that the company be hired.

There was little discussion held about hiring Portnoff Law Associates LTD of King of Prussia as collector for delinquent real estate taxes.

The council agreed that the collection fees will be paid by the people who owe the back fees.

In other business

• Wargo said a meeting of the borough’s Economic Development Committee will be held at 7 p.m. on June 10 in the borough hall. He said the speaker will be Cathy Henderson, the Director of Economic Development for the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. Henderson will also conduct a question-and-answer session about amenities that are available to the borough to improve its economic climate, Wargo said.

• Wargo said a meeting of the borough’s Emergency Services Committee will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 10, also in the borough hall.

• The council approved new fees that can be charged by tax collector Kathleen Crampsie. They are $15 for tax requests, $5 for duplicate tax bills, $10 for copies of taxes and $25 returned check fees.

• Kira Steber, the borough’s secretary and treasurer, said the borough offices will be close on Monday and Tuesday, May 27 and 28, for Memorial Day.

• The council accepted a bid price of $2,500 for a 1991 dump truck it is selling. The buyer, which was the lone bidder on the truck, was Krajcirik Automotive of Lansford.

• The council approved a request from the Rev. Allen Hoffa of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley to have a Corpus Christi Procession following Mass on June 23.

• Also approved was a request from the Rev. Hoffa to block off the proper streets for the annual St. Joseph Festival to be held July 19 to 21. There will be a procession with the statue of St. Gabriel on July 21 beginning at 3:30 p.m.