At the April 12 Coplay Borough Council meeting, Mayor Stephen Burker said he is looking to have an open forum with borough police Chief Vince Genovese and his officers and Coplay residents.

This would give the public the opportunity to meet the officers and ask questions.

Also at the meeting, Councilman Mark Molitoris noted there will be members from the borough of Catasauqua attending the next Coplay parks and recreation meeting where they will discuss the possibility of allowing Catasauqua residents to purchase pool passes at a set fee.

The Catasauqua pool has had maintenance issues and will not be able to open again this season.

In other news, there was damage done on the Ironton Rail Trail by four-wheel vehicles. Molitoris noted Joseph Bundra, the IRT liaison, submitted a proposal to council summarizing the approximate costs - $740 - to repair the area. Fixing the area will entail manpower to rake and seed the torn-up grass.

At borough meetings, there is an item on the agenda where audience members can address council - referred to as the hearing of persons present. Apparently, in the past, hearing of persons present was on the agenda twice, giving the public two chances to address council. Recently, there is only one place on the agenda to address council.

Anne Killeen, a Coplay resident, brought this to council’s attention and expressed that a large list of agenda items may produce more questions from the public. Killeen noted having the hearing of persons present on the agenda twice is helpful.

Councilman Charles Sodl noted council is there to serve the residents and can understand wanting the opportunity to speak twice. Several other council members seemed to agree.

Regarding new business, council approved Tiffany Benson as the pool manager for the 2022 season.

Also, in the past, day cares that brought their students to the borough pool could purchase a season pool pass for each child. A motion was made to increase that amount from $40 to $50. Council unanimously approved the increase.

After a council vote, Dolores Ehly-Young was approved for a position with the Coplay library board. Also, council approved Todd Santoroski for an appointed position on the zoning board, which was left vacant after Councilman Michael Dreisbach moved to a seat on borough council. Bill Ehritz was approved by council for an appointed position of alternate on the zoning board.

Council voted in favor of approving Lehigh County to use 165 Cherry St. in the borough for a polling facility.

Council approved Resolution 1489 to place the borough-owned 38 S. Fourth St. up for bid for sale of property.

The next council meeting - a workshop - is set for 7 p.m. May 3.