Parryville’s borough council recognized several residents for their community service at its July meeting.

Jason Smith, council president, presented the awards and plaques to Dana Brubaker, Donald Smith and Cathy Hawk.

Brubaker was awarded the Thomas G. Chrostwaite Award for 20-plus years of voluntary service for the borough. Brubaker serves as the treasurer.

According to Smith, she is “responsible for maintaining a healthy financial status for the borough, assuring year over year, we have a balanced budget.” She serves as the borough historian and has shared her “dedication and wisdom over these many years.”

Smith was awarded the Cecil K. Leberknight Award for his 10-plus years of service to Parryville. He has served as vice president, president, and councilman. Currently, he serves on the building and lights and roads committees.

His son, Jason Smith, the current borough president said, “to say it is a privilege and an honor to serve with Donald, my dad, would be an understatement, this is truly something I will cherish forever.”

Hawk was also awarded the Cecil K. Leberknight Award for her 10-plus years of service. While she is currently an employee of Parryville serving as borough secretary, she served voluntarily as president, vice president, and councilwoman over the past 10 years.

She said that she follows the advice she was given “over 10 years ago” by her predecessor Mike Grant, “Always do what’s best for the community, regardless of what your opinion is.”

She says, “It’s rare that everyone will always agree because of their own opinions, and that’s why serving is truly selfless. In every decision, I have known that the one that I first need to listen to and answer to is Jesus because he truly knows what is the best and how a decision will impact the future for the community.”

She says that “serving is not for the faint of heart and definitely brings out one’s strength that may have never been tapped into.”

The Playground Committee has requested the purchase and spreading of specialty mulch to be placed on top of existing mulch.

Kathi Wolter gave a presentation about the “safety of the children” and the extra costs associated with the special mulch. She also said it will need to be spread.

Smith asked if all area playgrounds use this special mulch. According to Wolter, Palmerton and Lehighton have the special mulch but other playgrounds do not.

Mayor Tom Kobel reported several complaints about fireworks on the Fourth of July, but said “there isn’t much that can be done about that” given the laws regarding fireworks.

Smith reported that a small fire broke out in borough hall two weeks ago when the cable box caught fire.

A passerby “found a T-shirt in her car and put it out,” according to Smith. Smith immediately contacted an electrician who recommended that they “turn off the electric every time we leave the building.” Smith is concerned about the “overall safety of the building.”

Borough Hall continues to have no plumbing and the portable toilet “is infested with bees and spiderwebs,” according to Hawk.

The borough dump truck requires repairs that “exceed the value of the truck,” according to Smith.

The borough will look into buying a new truck in time for plowing.

Smith expressed frustration that they have been denied an LSA grant three times despite “following all the points we were given” in writing the grants. “We’ve been thrown curve ball after curve ball after curve ball, and yet we still show up smiling,” Smith said.

Smith said that they “try to do everything we can for the least amount of money possible without raising taxes,” and will “continue to reach out to elected officials for support.”