The last Friday in October in Coplay Borough will not have its usual costumed kids knocking on doors. A decades-old tradition is on hold this year as borough council, at its Sept. 8 meeting, voted to cancel trick-or-treat night for 2020.

It is the loss of yet another Coplay community event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancellation adds to a list of vacated borough events, including St. John’s Lutheran Church’s summer picnic, St. Peter Roman Catholic Church’s annual reunion picnic, Coplay Community Days, numerous church-sponsored dinners, many Coplay Public Library activities and more.

During the hearing of persons present, longtime council meeting attendee Ann Killeen asked if council is able to complete the 2021 budget in a timely manner. Council President Louis Bodish replied he anticipates the budget will be completed timely as usual.

In another question, Killeen asked why there is only one time set aside for residents to address council during a virtual meeting. Usually, she noted, there is a time slot on the meeting agenda in the beginning of the meeting and the end for residents to voice their opinion. Bodish responded that because of the virtual meeting format, council has reduced the hearing of persons present to one time only at the beginning of the meeting.

Bodish announced a meeting was planned for Sept. 9 to review plans for the building construction at the former General Supply property. The property was purchased by the borough several years ago with a plan to relocate the street department and the borough offices to a new facility. Escalating cost estimates of the project have resulted in reducing the original plan.

Borough Solicitor James Preston asked Bodish if council is ready to restart any pending sheriff sales in the borough. After some discussion, council approved the solicitor informing the county it can begin any pending sheriff sales.

Preston reminded council the amendments to the ordinance regulating fireworks need approval from council. Council concurred, and Preston then informed them the ordinance is ready for adoption.

A discussion to contribute to Meals on Wheels was tabled. A question was raised if the funds donated will assist only Coplay residents. Councilman Richard Kern asked how many Coplay residents receive Meals on Wheels dinners. All were unaware of the number of meals served in the borough. Kern motioned to table the contribution until next month, citing more information is needed.

There was a discussion about replacing the flag on the cell tower at the Coplay Sports fields and, if possible, to raise the flag from half staff to full staff.

Council member Janet Eisenhauer requested an addition to next month’s agenda of the finance committee planning to recommend hiring a grant-writing company to assist the borough.

Council approved an ordinance establishing and implementing a program to charge user fees for the deployment of public safety services rendered by Coplay Fire Department for emergency response services.

A resolution for the procurement for a professional services contract for Coplay nonuniformed and police pension plans was also adopted.

The next council meeting - a workshop - is 7 p.m. Oct. 6. It is expected to be a virtual meeting. See the borough website, coplayborough.org, for the phone number and code to call in.