Bill Zeky presented two checks, both in the amount of $150, to the Palmerton Borough and to the Palmerton Police Department last week on behalf of Raising the House. The organization was started in memory of Blaine R. House, a Towamensing Elementary School teacher who died in 2013.

“Every year, we have a 5K in town,” Zeky said at Thursday’s borough council meeting. “Part of what we do with the money that we raise from the 5K is we help out families in the Palmerton Area School District. We’ve given out $10,000 to families in need.”

“Without you guys, we wouldn’t be able to do this 5K every year,” he added.

Raising the House’s annual 5K will be held March 23 at Palmerton Borough Park. For information about registering, visit https://www.raisingthehouse.org.

In other business

• Mike Kercsmar, Palmerton Municipal Fire Company assistant chief, resigned from his position with the borough’s public works department. He was a licensed water operator.

Councilman Kris Hoffner spoke about Kercsmar, who wasn’t present at Thursday’s meeting.

“Mike Kercsmar is leaving to be a professional firefighter in Bethlehem,” Hoffner said. “It’s been his lifelong dream. He is an excellent employee, and he is an outstanding assistant fire chief.”

While Kercsmar resigned from his position with the borough, Hoffner said that he plans on retaining his role at Palmerton’s fire company.

• Council accepted the resignation of Donald Heiney from his position on the Civil Service Commission.

• Council approved the following use requests: Pace-Makers Association’s Cruise Nights in the park on May 3, June 7 and Aug. 2; Living Hope Lighthouse Church’s Light in the Night Festival on Oct. 18; American Legion Post 927 Riders’ Motorcycle Rally on Aug. 10; and Palmerton Concourse Club’s summer concerts, which will run from June to August.

• Council approved use requests from the Palmerton Towamensing Athletic Association for youth baseball and softball from March through November.