Tamaqua council OKs small tax increase

Tamaqua residents will see a slight increase in their taxes in 2020, as Tamaqua Borough Council voted to advertise the proposed budget and tax ordinance for 2020, including a ¼-mill tax increase.

Borough manager Kevin Steigerwalt said the increase will raise about $18,000 for the borough. Steigerwalt said that the borough has received more information regarding the total assessed value of property in the town and the amount that Rush Township will pay for their sewer services, and there are no major changes expected in the final budget.

Steigerwalt reminded borough residents that there is still a vacancy on the zoning hearing board. The position is strictly voluntary, and the borough is hoping for a community minded person to fill the opening.

Council approved a handicap parking space for 101 S. Elizabeth St. Council retained Jeff Hartz as a full-time mechanic/street maintenance worker, effective Dec. 3.

Council approved a use and maintenance agreement with the Kellner’s Dam Association for their property, pending the review of insurance documentation.

Based on the recommendation of the water authority, the borough will change the water department billing cycle from a 30-day cycle to a 25-day cycle.

According to Brian Connely, the 30-day cycle was causing billing issues, resulting in late fees. Council also voted to change the garbage billing cycle to the 25 days. Council indicated that they had not had a similar recommendation from the Borough Authority regarding the sewer services billing.

Resident Ron Nunemacher asked the borough to check into “the disabled and junked vehicles that are parked at the end of Stadium Hill.” Nunemacher was referring to the access road that is located between Stadium Hill and the Wabash Creek. Nunemacher said that he had looked up the area on the parcel locator, and it appeared to belong to the school district.

“It’s beginning to be an eyesore,” he said. “People from other communities are coming here to a football game, and that’s what they see.”

Nunemacher asked if the vehicles were covered under the borough’s abandoned vehicles ordinance. Council President David Mace said that the area in question is adjacent to a commercial enterprise that deals in collision repair, and as such, the vehicles were not covered in the same manner as a private property owner.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” he said, “your concern is valid.”

Mace recommended having code enforcement and the police look into the situation. Connely asked if the area in question is actually in the borough, or if it in Walker Township. Nunemacher asked if trees or something could be planted.

It was suggested that someone from council have a conversation with the property owner to see if a resolution could be found. Councilman Ron Bowman volunteered. Mace suggested that the issue also be handled through the proper channels of code enforcement.