Coplay Borough Council, at its Nov. 1 workshop meeting, agreed to table a decision on the potential closure of the municipal pool to allow time for additional discussion on its future.

At the start of the meeting, two residents addressed council, noting the pool brings a sense of community to Coplay and suggested having fundraisers to help sustain the pool.

Mayor Stephen Burker said if council were to vote to close the pool for the 2023 season, he would execute his right to veto that decision. He noted the pool has enhanced the quality of life for the borough’s residents for 40 years.

Burker noted council must do the right thing for taxpayers but also grant ample time for the park and recreation committee to devise a plan to address the pool expenses.

Burker spoke of the possibility of ultimately having the voters decide by having a referendum on the ballot next year.

Councilman Charles Sodl suggested removing the motion to close the pool for the 2023 season from the Nov. 8 regular meeting agenda. He suggested if the park and recreation committee cannot find a way to alleviate some pool expenses by early 2023, the subject of closing the pool be put on the ballot as a referendum for voters to decide.

As a result, the agenda item for next week to “close the pool for the 2023 season” was removed with the intention of allowing the park and recreation committee some time to research and plan for ways to alleviate expenses.

Councilman Mark Molitoris, park and recreation committee chairperson, stressed the committee is working on exploring all options and ideas. He also assured his fellow council members he will put information together so a grant can be applied for to possibly help with costs.

In other business, Councilmember Janet Eisenhauer, chair of the finance committee, reviewed the 2023 budget draft.

“The bottom line is we are not recommending any tax increases for 2023,” Eisenhauer said.

At the Nov. 8 meeting, council will vote to approve the first reading of the budget. The final 2023 budget must be approved at a special Dec. 19 meeting.

Police Chief Ryan Emerich reported oral interviews have been conducted to fill a full-time officer position. A decision will soon be made. This position was left vacant when Emerich accepted the position of chief.

Another audience member brought up the topic of several dump trucks traveling up and down Chestnut Street daily. Sodl explained council had discussed this concern in February and had initiated a travel study. The study results are now with the borough engineer.

The plan is to have signs installed restricting trucks of certain weight limits, giving the borough police the opportunity to enforce these limitations.

Public works Director Paul Boyle reported the new tot lot equipment should be installed around mid-November.