The Tamaqua Borough Council appointed a new secretary/treasurer to fill a seat that will become vacant at the end of the week.

During Tuesday’s meeting, council hired Tim Zeigler to the post. He will serve a probationary period of up to 6 months, and receive $24.10 per hour.

Councilman Ron Bowman said the probationary period can be dropped before six months if “everything works out and everything goes smooth.”

Zeigler will replace Tonia (Collevechio) Sakusky whose resignation becomes effective Friday. She had served in the role since November 2021; her resignation letter was accepted at the meeting.

Council also hired Lori Patrick as a borough utility billing clerk at the rate of $17.88 per hour.

Both hirings were unanimous. Council President Brian Connely was absent from the meeting.

Council accepted the resignation of Austin Fogel, water plant treatment operator, effective Sept. 22.

In an unrelated matter, council awarded a contract for the purchase of 35,000 gallons of heating oil to Fegley Oil of Tamaqua.

According to borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt, Fegley was the only fuel provider to submit a bid.

Fegley offered a fixed rate bid of $3.39 per gallon, and a floating price of 10 cents over the going rate.

“We are currently paying a fixed rate of $3.79 per gallon,” Steigerwalt said. “This price is actually a good bit lower than what we are paying currently.”

The contract will be effective from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, 2024.

Steigerwalt said the borough typically chooses the fixed price.

Council also:

• Approved a handicapped parking space application for 235 Lafayette St.

• Approved an agreement with Municipal Parking Services Inc. to install five SafetyStick automated parking enforcement devices pending the review of the borough solicitor.