Palmerton Borough Council took the following action on Thursday:

• Approved the suspension of a fire company member, ratifying the action taken by borough Manager Donna McGarry. Council did not release the individual’s name.

• Denied a grievance request by employee No. 52. Council did not release the employee’s name or position.

• Approved the cooperation agreement with Carbon County for Community Development Block Grant funding. One agreement is for the county to administer 2020 CDBG COVID-19 funds in the amount of $64,503. Another agreement is for the county to administer 2020 CDBG funds in the amount of $107,064.

• Announced that clerk Christal Benninger has completed her probationary period, and approved her rate at $12.70 per hour.

• Hired Jude Petrycia as summer help at the rate of $9.79 per hour, as soon as he is available.

• Approved a pension calculation for retired Public Works employee Leroy Scherer for a monthly benefit payment of $1,985.

• Appointed Gregory Scott to the borough’s planning commission.

• Appointed Tom Vanderbeck to the borough’s municipal authority.

• Agreed to allow the fire department to take the fire trucks to the Diamond Fire Company in Walnutport 125th anniversary parade June 12. Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell and council President Terry Costenbader abstained.

• Approved renewal of the borough’s COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Declaration for 90 days, starting June 17.

- Terry Ahner