A Panther Valley fifth-grader has proposed a concept to improve recreation in Summit Hill.

Brenna McAndrew has suggested that a Junior Recreation Commission be formed and said she will even recruit friends to serve on it.

Summit Hill Borough Council heard of the proposal last night in a letter from the Recreation Commission.

No action was taken by the council.

McAndrew is the daughter of David and Jodi McAndrew of Summit Hill. Her mother is the chairman of the borough’s Recreation Commission.

Brenna said in her proposal the purpose of the Junior Recreation Commission would be to “plan parks and activities.”

She said, “It is important to have a Junior Recreation Commission because they know what kids (in their age group) like. We could also help organize and assist activities.”

She wrote, “I will recruit people by talking to friends and kids that come to activities.”

The adult Recreation Commission in Summit Hill is very active. It has secured grants for improvements to playgrounds and other recreational facilities.

It also stages various activities for children throughout the year including Christmas on the Hill and an Easter Egg hunt.

The Commission told the council that it will hold a “Gourds and Ghouls Halloween Hunt” at 1 p.m. Saturday in Ludlow Park for borough children. Trick-or-treat bags will be given out as well as refreshments.

Other business

The borough council conducted the following business:

• It agreed to support a “Hometown Heroes Banner Project” by the Summit Hill Historical Society. The banner program exists in various other communities and honors military members by having their photo placed on a banner that is displayed.

• Councilman John O’Gurek urged that some streets such as Carbon Alley need to be repaved. “Carbon Alley’s a mess,” he said. “It needs to be done.”

• The borough agreed to purchase a Wacker plate tamper for repairing potholes at a cost of $1,550 from AEI Equipment Tamaqua.

• Kevin Steber, the borough’s emergency management coordinator, told the council he does not want to be reappointed to the position for 2018.

The council agreed to advertise for a replacement. Anyone interested in serving as the emergency management coordinator should contact borough secretary Kira Steber at the borough hall.

• Narrow Valley Tree Service was hired to removed five trees, three in Ludlow Park and two in Memorial Park, at a cost of $800. One other proposal was received with was $1,000 higher in price.

• St. Joseph’s Catholic Church was given permission to use borough barricades for their trick or treat event this coming weekend.

• The council agreed to purchase two Crime Watch signs at a cost of $35 each to be placed at each entrance to the borough.

• John O’Gurek proposed that the borough double its annual allocation to the fire department, from $10,000 to $20,000.

He was told that the borough hasn’t begun working on its 2018 budget, yet.

A motion that O’Gurek made on the fire company contribution died without a second.

• In his monthly report, Chief of Police Joseph Fittos Jr. said that in September, there were 37 traffic citations issued and six nontraffic citations.

Four criminal complaints were filed at District Court for the month.

There were 35 warnings given during the month.

Officer Brian Horos has completed his training as a Taser instructor. Fittos said training will be set up for the department so the Taser can be deployed.