Tamaqua hears about summer leagues

Nate MacDonald, new director of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission, visited Tamaqua Borough Council on Tuesday night to provide an update on the non-profit group’s programs and activities.

On the job since May 9, the College Misericordia student has redesigned and refreshed the organization’s social media presence, created a new website and re-established Summer sports leagues for basketball and volleyball.

He has also contacted a number of local businesses, several of which have made sponsorship contributions.

ESRC was established in 1997 and currently serves residents of the towns of Tamaqua and Middleport, as well as Rush, Schuylkill, Walker and West Penn Townships. Its goal is to create and expand recreational activities and opportunities for all ages.

In addition to the summer leagues, the ESRC will be: conducting open volleyball sessions; co-sponsoring the Tamaqua Lady Raiders Summer Volleyball Camp; and hold a tennis clinic, from July 10 through July 12, featuring pro tennis player Jill Hollenbach, at the Tamaqua School District Courts.

MacDonald hopes to conduct a corn hole tournament and a Senior Olympic Day.

For more information on the ESRC, visit www.esrcrec.org or call 570-239-6436.

In other business, council approved:

• Mayor Nathan Gerace’s attendance at the 47th Annual State Mayor’s Conference from July 19-22.

• Agreed to allow Safer Streets For Tamaqua’s Little Feet representatives to remove and store the wood from memorial benches at the Spruce/Hunter Street park.

• Approved the Tamaqua Fire Police purchase of a second unit to be used as a Quick Response Vehicle, with the association paying for the purchase and maintenance, and the borough paying for insurance.

• Approved the American Hose Company’s request to close a portion of Pine Street from Aug. 3 through Aug. 5 for the company’s annual festival.

• Split the bids on the Streetlight Replacement Project, with Denney Electric providing the material and West Side Hammer Electric doing the installation for a total cost of $115,350.

• Approved hiring Anne Marie Calabrese as the full-time community development director after she successfully completed the probation period;

• Approved a change in the health care coverage for nonunion employees, providing them with the same coverage as union employees.