Tamaqua chief announces retirement

Tamaqua Police Chief Rick Weaver will be stepping down at the end of this month.

Weaver submitted a request to retain his service weapon after his retirement, which council approved at Tuesday night’s meeting.

There was no other discussion about who the borough plans to appoint to fill the role, other than it will be announced at the next meeting, which will be Feb. 20.

Weaver entered the DROP (deferred retirement option plan) five years ago, setting March 1, 2018, as his official retirement date.

Weaver was hired as a patrolman in 1988 and appointed chief in 2013.

In other police matters, Mayor Nathan Gerace submitted a request to have the windows tinted on several of the police vehicles.

Gerace said that due to the number of electronic instruments now running in the cabin of the cruisers, the temperature does rise.

By tinting the windows with a reflective material, it would help keep the temperature down, especially in the summer time.

Gerace submitted a quote for the work from Black Diamond Tint for approximately $300. Council referred the matter to the building and equipment committee for review.

Solicitor Michael Greek cautioned the matter should be reviewed against the insurance policies on the vehicles, since the modification would be a change from the original vehicle.