Tamaqua Borough Council approved the hiring of part-time police officer Timothy Walsh and voted to authorize the Civil Service Commission to conduct a test to compile a list for the hiring of full-time officers.

At this time, council declined to say how many full-time positions they are looking to fill.Representatives from "Safer Streets for Tamaqua's Little Feets," a group recently formed to combat drug addiction in the community, updated council on their plans.The group is partnering with "The Skook Recovers" for some beautification projects within the area, including the Willing Skate Park, located behind Boyer's Food Market, and the small park area at the corner of Hunter and Spruce streets, across from Pieracini's Market.Citing the area as one of the largest bus stops in the area, John Sienkiewicz noted the area has fallen into disrepair and is now also a select spot for drug sellers and users. Although the original letter to council included a request for donations for the project, Sienkiewicz noted the majority of the necessary materials have already been obtained.Steve Rajnic, a retired pharmacist who lives locally, sent a letter to council suggesting placing a billboard with a message for those that are addicted, reminding them to choose life instead, within the community.School businessCouncil also approved requests from the Tamaqua Raider Marching Band to hold the Land of the Running Water band adjudication festival on Oct. 15, a "Trunk or Treat" event at Zion Lutheran Church on Oct. 30, and a poker run benefit hosted by the Tamaqua Elks on Aug. 27.Council heard from Rosanne Weinrich, a teacher at Tamaqua Area High School, who requested approval for the second annual Supurban 5K race and help with planning the race route. The race will be held on Oct. 8. The request was approved.Other mattersA request for family medical leave from borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt was approved. Rob Jones will fill in as acting borough manager until Steigerwalt returns.Council approved a request from Nicholas Wall to complete an Eagle Scout project to install bat and owl nesting boxes in the Owl Creek Reservoir area.A discussion was held on the replacement of the 1997 Jeep that has been serving as the borough's fire department vehicle. The vehicle has a value of $1,600 and requires $1,100 worth of repairs. Council decided not to proceed with the repairs. They also determined it would not be worthwhile to try to salvage a 2008 vehicle that is being traded in by the police department for a new vehicle. At this time, Councilman Dan Evans noted they don't have an answer for the fire department, but assured firefighters the issue is still being looked into.Council heard from the borough's new director of community development, who started working in July, Mary Linkevich. She announced the borough's new website,

www.Tamaquaborough.com, is now live, although still in the process of being rolled out.She invited residents to contact her with questions or issues they are having with the website or the borough's new Facebook page. She also announced plans for the placement of an osprey platform at the Owl Creek Reservoir in the near future.Linkevich said her next project will be looking for grants for the borough.Council President David Mace announced the Bungalow Pool will be closing as scheduled on Aug. 28. The staff is unavailable to work during the Labor Day weekend and the pool will not be open.Resident Evelyn Curvey voiced her opinion that the borough's new recycling bins are an eye sore."They're on everyone's front porch or in front of their house, and they make the neighborhood's look cheap," she said.Mace said he understood Curvey's concerns and reminded residents they can return the bins if they are not using them or contact the borough to get a smaller bin.