As expected, Coplay Borough Council approved a new apartment complex at its meeting June 12.

The project is sponsored by DVS Enterprises and consists of multiple apartment buildings near the Ironton Rail Trail and the new Saylor Park. The new project mimics a similar-styled project across the street.

Council’s main concerns were with stormwater runoff. Ultimately, council agreed the protections and safeguards offered by the developer were adequate.

All bids for paving work at Hohls and Keystone alleys were received. The bids were turned over to the township engineer for review. Council will vote on the bids at its next regular meeting in July.

Shari Noctor addressed council regarding her summer breakfast programs. She is the executive for Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative.

“We have a summer program where students can come in for breakfast and take home a lunch,” she said. “We make sure they read while they are here. Students who don’t read over the summer lose a grade level in comprehension.”

Noctor said she sent out invitations to families that qualify in the area.

According to Noctor, the family poverty level is now anything below $50,000. The statistics show that 33 percent of the population falls into the poverty column. They are eligible for the free meals.

Mary Howell and Jeanne Hudak asked council about feral cats. There seems to be a large contingent living under a nearby shed on their neighbor’s property. Howell wondered if there is anything the borough could do to contain the problem. Council President Louis Bodish suggested a sit-down with the neighbor, but they said that was tried and did not work. The matter will get some attention from code enforcement.

Bodish explained the only limitation from the borough regards the number of pets in a household.

Howell confirmed Coplay Feral Cat Committee no longer exists. The borough has a contract with the Sanctuary at Haafsville to reduce the number of feral cats.

Councilmen Stephen Burker and Charles Sodl expressed their dismay over reports that say polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were dumped at Coplay Aggregates quarry. With assistance from state representatives and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials, Coplay wants to get to the bottom of what caused the problem.

“It’s a serious issue that could affect not only well water, but also the Lehigh River,” Burker said.

Borough water supplies are provided by Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority (CWSA) and are considered safe and not affected by the potential release of contaminates from the quarry.

The construction projects on Hokendauqua and Front streets are in progress. Front Street, after its long delay, is moving forward. According to the township engineer, the binder coat is in progress. Hokendauqua Street is being milled down to accept new asphalt.