Tamaqua provides updates on roads

Tamaqua Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt reported last week that the majority of the paving projects that were scheduled for Broad, Lehigh, Spruce and Mauch Chunk streets have been completed.

Steigerwalt also said that the borough hopes to pave the section of Owl Creek Road up to the county line yet this year, and then hopefully tar and chip the entire section of the road next year.

As a cost-saving measure, the borough plans to do the paving work themselves, but Steigerwalt said the project is being held up because they need to acquire some equipment, which will be put out for bid.

Steigerwalt said that the borough has acquired an empty parcel of land along South Railroad Street. The plan is to use this area as a turn around for traffic between South Railroad and Cherry streets.

Other business

In other business, council approved the three-year lease agreement for a 2019 Ford F150 4x4 police vehicle, with payments to come from the building and equipment fund. The price tag on the truck is $48,203.83. This purchase is in line with the borough’s proposed schedule of upgrading vehicles.

Council President David Mace asked the police department to consider looking into hybrid technology the next time a vehicle is purchased.

Council adopted an ordinance granting a nonexclusive cable television franchise to Service Electric. The borough will realize a 5% return annually from the agreement.

Council hired Greg Kurtz as a full-time zoning/code/health officer at an annual salary of $72,500. Kurtz replaces Josh Esposito, who resigned at the end of July. Kurtz’s scheduled hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Council emphasized that they stressed the importance of having regular office hours and being available to the public when Kurtz was hired.

Council also adopted an ordinance regulating the keeping of animals within the borough. No residence shall contain more than five permitted cats or dogs, or four caged, permitted animals. There is no limit on the number of fish or small amphibians that may be in a residence. Additionally, any permitted animal must be constrained when at large. Pet owners are also responsible to clean up their animal’s fecal material, whether it is on a street or public area, or on private property.

Some of these provisions were already in the borough’s zoning ordinances; however, this ordinance reinforces the previously existing ones.

Council approved a request from the Tamaqua Lions Club to hold the Halloween Parade on Oct. 22, with a rain date of Oct. 23.

Council approved a request from the Safer Streets organization to light up the fountain at Depot Square purple for International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31. Tammy Sienkiewicz, who made the request, said that Tamaqua is becoming known as a town for recovery and they want to continue that path.