Tamaqua borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt updated council on upcoming borough improvement projects during Tuesday’s meeting.

In his report, Steigerwalt noted that the borough will be accepting bids for work at both the North and Middle Ward and South Ward playgrounds.

“I had a conversation with the engineer and with the county grant managers,” he said. “We are advertising bid dates for the project.”

The bids, he said, are due April 24 and an optional pre-bid meeting will be held April 16 at the North and Middle Ward Playground.

The bid package contains alternates for the scope of work.

“We’ll have to take a look at those and see what we can afford within budgetary constraints,” Steigerwalt said.

Council will likely review the bid results during a May meeting.

Steigerwalt also reported that a street resurfacing project will soon get underway on Cedar and Clay streets between Nescopeck and Pitt streets.

The work will be done with 2022 Community Development Block Grant funds.

Steigerwalt told council that the demolition of 423 Willing St. is complete.

“That was put on pause for a couple of months due to the weather,” he said.

The contractor returned last week and finished the final grading and seeding, Steigerwalt noted. Code enforcement officials reviewed the work.

“So that’s officially done,” he said.

Steigerwalt said demolition funds are running low.

“So there will be a pause until we get some additional funds from a grant,” he said.

In an unrelated matter, he said that pool pass applications are available from Tamaqua Borough Hall and other locations throughout the borough. Those living in the Panther Valley School District may also apply for season passes and can pick up the paperwork at Tamaqua or Lansford borough halls.

Also during the meeting, council:

• Approved requests to send Tamaqua police Sgt. Thomas Rodgers to a Glock Armorer course in Nazareth on June 11 at a cost of $250, and to a Modular Optic System Instructor workshop in Walnutport from June 12-14 at a cost of $500.

• Approved a request to send Patrolman Christopher Cordes to a Technology for Law Enforcement course in Harrisburg on April 10 at no cost.

• Approved a handicapped parking space application for 322 Mahanoy St.

• Will advertise for a part-time borough secretary.

• Hired Alex Porambo as an assistant pool manager for the upcoming season at a rate of $15 per hour.