Tamaqua Borough Council reported last week that the speed limit throughout the borough is going to be lowered to 25 mph, except in areas under the control of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, such as Routes 209 and 309 in addition to Owl Creek Road.

Councilman Tom Cara made a motion to advertise an ordinance lowering the limit as part of his quest to have the borough’s current green street signs replaced with blue signs with white lettering, such as the sign on the newly named Memorial Avenue.

“I was told by PennDOT that any signs we replaced would have to have lettering that’s 6 inches high. Some of our street names won’t fit on a standard street sign with that size letters. But we can get an exemption if the speed limit is 25 rather than 35, according to our local legislators.”

Councilman Dan Evans has been spending some of his rainy day time to review street, parking meter and other matters. First up for discussion was the borough’s demolition project. He asked for an updated list of the priority properties on the list as several of the worst offenders have been torn down.

He also asked for an update on the borough’s street repair program.

“I see we’ve earmarked money from several years of (Community Development Block Grant) funding for the street program. Where does that stand as of now?”

Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt said the borough’s engineering firm, Alfred A. Benesch, has been compiling a list and bid requirements, reminding council any use of CDBG funds must target low-income areas.

“Most of the project will be centered in the North Ward and we may not be able to do every street on the list as some areas will be requiring curb ramps for handicap access,” Steigerwalt said.

Evans provided an update on the parking meters, noting the borough has 250 meters in the downtown area, according to a list compiled in 2012. Since then the borough has replaced 135 of the old mechanical meters with digital meters.

The new meters paid for themselves in less than two years thanks to the increased parking fees. He suggested purchasing an additional 53 digital meters, with his motion getting unanimous approval.

Steigerwalt reported that every street and borough owned parking lot has been cleaned at least once this season by the street sweeper.