Palmerton Borough Council on a 5-0 vote took the following action last week:

• Approved the Community Development Block Grant Cooperation agreement. The borough is an entitlement community, which means funds are allocated to it for improvements for certain areas of the borough.

• Adopted a resolution for a volunteer tax credit increase from 20% to 100%. Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell abstained because her husband is a firefighter. Originally, the borough was limited to a credit of 100% of the municipal portion of the real estate tax bill. The actual amount of the credit will be dependent on the assessed value of the home.

• Adopted a resolution for volunteer tax credit for the Aquashicola Fire Company members. Lower Towamensing Township reached out to the borough to inform it that they were pursuing the credit, and council decided it wanted to follow suit to assist its volunteers and give back to them for their dedication to our community.

• Approved an evidence policy for the police department. Borough police Chief Tim Kromer said the department had a very limited evidence policy that was created in 1995.

• Made a motion to have proclamations for the 2023 Palmerton Area High School football team for going undefeated in the regular season, as well as the 120-pound knee-hi football team, at council’s next meeting.

• Adopted a resolution appointing Kirk Summa & Co. as auditing firm for 2024.

• Approved a use request for Raising the House to hold its 5K race in the borough park/bandstand. Councilman Kris Hoffner abstained because he is a member of the committee.

- Terry Ahner