Tamaqua will receive approximately $124,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for 2025, according to borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt.

The federal program provides annual grants to communities for improvement projects, such as infrastructure, economic development and public facilities installation,

After subtracting administrative costs of about $22,000 and allocating $30,500 for demolition projects, Steigerwalt said the borough will have approximately $71,000 remaining for other projects.

“We were talking about converting a park into a pickleball court,” he said.

Steigerwalt provided council members with cost estimates for other possible projects, including a sidewalk replacement at the North and Middle Ward Park.

He noted that the borough is using past CDBG allocations to pave portions of Lafayette Street, and Hegarty and Glenwood avenues.

Council awarded a contract for the work to Ronnie C. Folk Paving Inc. of Shoemakersville for $100,070.

Steigerwalt said the project will be covered by $54,000 in 2022 CDBG funding and $46,000 in liquid fuels funds.

In other business, the borough will welcome two new employees.

Council hired Sue Coombe to the position of assistant borough secretary/treasurer at a rate of $20 per hour.

Members also appointed Keith Steins as a wastewater treatment plant operator at a rate of $27 per hour.