SOUTH PORTLAND — A block closure, playground equipment and a new communications tower comprised most of the city council actions at Monday’s meeting.

With Councilor Tom Coward serving as acting mayor because of Mayor Patti Smith’s absence, the council kept a unanimous front all evening.

Councilors passed an order allowing the closure of a portion of Providence Street for a 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. block party on Aug. 11. The street will be closed from Lawrence Lano Drive to a culvert located near Marsh Road. Rain date for the block party is Aug. 12.

Councilors supported the construction of a playground at the Wainwright Farms. A total of $86,000 will be spent on equipment and parking lot construction at the site, funded through capital improvement budget allocations from this year and fiscal year 2011 and the city Parks and Recreation Department. Playground equipment will be provided by M.E. O’Brien & Sons of Medfield, Mass.

Councilors also approved the construction of a 90-foot communications tower at the West End Fire Station in Redbank. Standish-based Wireless Communications was awarded the $129,530 bid to design and build the tower.

Funding for the work comes from the Texas Instruments tax increment finance account and the South Portland Fire Department reserve account. City Manager James Gailey said he expects the funding to be repaid in about 26 months through lease payments on tower space from communications companies.

Councilors also approved two committee appointments.

William Van Voorhis appointed to Harbor Commission, for a second term expiring June 30, 2015.

Craig Church’s nomination to Greater Portland Public Development Commission was approved and forwarded to Gov. Paul LePage. Church will replace Wayne Ross, a committee member since 1988.

David Harry can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.