At its workshop meeting Dec. 1, Coplay Borough Council discussed the immediate, temporary future of the Coplay Athletic Club and the Explorer Post 101 Train Club activities in borough hall.

The Coplay Athletic Club operates a weight/exercise room on the second floor of the building, 98 S. Fourth St. The club has a six-decade-plus presence in the borough, running various programs for children and supporting other organizations. The weight room has been a fixture at its current location for decades as well.

The Explorer Post 101 Train Club operates a train display on the second floor of borough hall. The group has, for years, operated an elaborate train display for the public to enjoy during the holidays. The display is also a fundraising event for the post.

Council President Louis Bodish suggested council close both the Coplay Athletic Club gym and the Explorer Post 101 Train Club temporarily because of the increasing COVID-19 case count and the potential of community spread.

Council members present concurred with closing both organizations until the virus is suppressed. They expressed regret about temporarily closing both organizations’ activities and said they expect to reopen as soon as events can be operated safely.

Office Administrator Kim Bachman reported Explorer Post 101 had already requested permission to hold an open house on various days in December and into early January for its holiday train display. Bachman reported she did inform the Post leaders that the borough hall is essentially closed due to the pandemic.

Council member Janet Eisenhauer appealed to council to not allow this event due to the pandemic. Council agreed the request needed to be denied.

Coplay Police Chief Vincent Genovese, in his monthly report, said address markings at the Ironton Trail Apartments are being done. He added emergency services personnel will not have difficulty finding specific apartments should an emergency arise.

Genovese recommended council approve a 30-minute parking space on Seventh Street at Styles by Allyson from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Coplay Fire Chief Brandon Bechtel said the department responded to five incidents in November and added membership has grown to 27. Bechtel also reported the department received a $24,000 COVID-19 grant through the office of state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th.

Council members had their second reading of the budget. Eisenhauer, finance committee chair, reported no changes in the budget, which contains a 1.4-mill tax hike.

Council also plans to accept the resignation of David Royer as the Ironton Rail Trail liaison. His replacement is expected to be former Coplay mayor and longtime IRT community activist Joseph J. Bundra.

It is also expected Joan Witko, who is seeking reappointment to the board of directors of the Coplay Public Library, will be confirmed.

Eisenhauer reported the library will return to curbside pickup and other restrictions. Visit coplaypubliclibrary.org for more details.

The next Coplay Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. Dec. 8. It will be a virtual meeting. Visit the borough’s website, coplayborough.org, for the access phone number and the meeting code.