Code enforcement was once again front and center at a Tamaqua Borough Council meeting.

A group of residents from Washington Street addressed council Tuesday night regarding two dilapidated structures in the neighborhood that have become overrun with feral cats and have numerous structural issues which have created a nightmare for them.

Neighbors stated that one property has been in a gradual state of disrepair for close to 20 years and is now at the point where it is causing damage to neighboring properties.

One neighbor, Alexis Pena, said that a crumbling chimney on the property is going to eventually fall and damage his property. Additionally, he has had to have his home treated for termites annually and has had water damage because the walkway between the two properties has not been maintained.

Other neighbors said they cannot sit out on their porches because of the smell from the feral cats that have moved in on the property.

The property owner, who does not actually live in the residence, was reported to have been feeding them up until a few weeks ago.

Councilman Tom Cara said he has gotten involved in trying to remedy the situation and has been trapping the cats and taking them to the SPCA on his own to try to alleviate the problem.

Neighbors said they cannot put porch furniture out because the cats use the cushions as litter boxes.

Pena said his daughters cannot play in the backyard because of the collapsing property and the smell.

Now, another property just a few homes away has also become abandoned and the neighbors reported that squatters have been going in and out of the home, and that garbage, including food that had been left in the refrigerator when the home was foreclosed upon, has been thrown in the yard.

Kimberly Balogach, who recently purchased a home next door to the property, worried about what will happen to her property value and her safety if the house is allowed to continue as is.

Council did move to board up the two properties to try to prevent unlawful entry into them and to try to prevent continued deterioration.

Councilman Dan Evans, however, expressed frustration as to what the endpoint for the borough was.

“Sooner or later, this ends up in our lap,” he said, “these owners just walk away. What are we supposed to do?”

One of the properties is already on the list of proposed demolitions, but it’s 11th on the list.

Councilwoman Mary Linkevich said that it could be 2-3 years before the borough secures the funds and can start to move forward with demolishing the property, even if it did manage to acquire it through tax sale.

Council also moved to approve contacting the Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue group to try to have the cats removed.

Following an executive session held before the meeting, Councilman Brian Connely proposed the borough advertise for a full-time code enforcement officer to be employed by the borough. For the past several years, since the retirement of the borough’s previous code enforcement officer, the borough has contracted the service out through Barry Isett and Associates.

Connely said the service had cost the borough $127,000 last year, and that was on a part-time basis.

“I think it’s time to expand the staff,” said Connely, who said he would like to advertise the position and see what kind of candidates the borough can get.

The motion to advertise was approved.