Tamaqua borough’s code enforcement department is returning to the borough. Council voted to hire a full-time code enforcement officer and appointed Josh Esposito to the position, at a salary of $82,500 per year.

Code enforcement has been handled by a third party on a part-time basis since 2012. Last year, the total cost to the borough for these part-time services was in the neighborhood of $160,000. Councilman Tom Cara called Esposito a “crackerjack code enforcement officer.”

Councilman Brian Connelly said that savings to the borough will be approximately $80,000 annually, and the borough will return to having full-time service. Esposito’s start date has not been determined yet but he is expected to be on the job in November.

In other good news for the borough, Councilman Mary Linkevich announced that the John E. Morgan Foundation has made a $25,000 grant available for the Owl Creek Reservoir Commission, for use to improve the reservoir area and make repairs.

Mayor Nathan Gerace said the police department has been running speed traps along Owl Creek Road at all times of the day in response to complaints from residents about excessive speeding in the area.

Gerace said that the officer on duty also cataloged the cars traveling along the route at different times, and if 20-30 cars traveled through the area, only 2-3 of them were actually traveling at a speed that warranted ticketing.

Gerace noted that the most speeding was noted in the morning when people might be traveling to work.

Council approved a certificate of appropriateness to change windows and stairs at 622-624 E. Broad St.

Council held an executive session to discuss personnel matters before the regular meeting.