At the Nov. 3 Coplay Borough Council meeting, council members voted to approve the first reading of the 2023 budget.

At the workshop meeting the previous week, Councilwoman Janet Eisenhauer stated there would be no increase in taxes for 2023.

Council also authorized the borough secretary to advertise a special meeting for the final budget reading, advertise an ordinance setting the tax rate for 2023 and a resolution adopting receipts and expenses per the new budget.

Council voted to have a special meeting 6 p.m. Dec. 19 to approve the 2023 budget.

In other news, council approved the resignation of Kimberly Bachman, secretary/treasurer, effective Dec. 31. A motion was made by Councilman Rick Kern to approve Resolution 1492, making Tiffany Benson the borough secretary/treasurer, effective Jan. 1, 2023. This motion carried unanimously.

A motion to approve the 2023 contract with the Sanctuary at Haafsville for stray animal assistance for the borough was denied by council with a 2-5 vote against. In July, the borough had been charged more than $600 by the Sanctuary for assistance for strays.

The annual appointment of auditor Kirk and Summa was approved by council for the auditing of the Dec. 31 financial statements.

Faye Schreiner was officially approved for a three-year term on the Coplay Public Library board.

Approval was granted to the Coplay Community Days committee to lease the plaza property for $250 from Nov. 26 to Jan. 31, 2023.

Approval was also given to the recreation and welfare committee for the annual tree lighting and holiday concert, set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1.

Kern, who leads the grant committee, reported the borough will complete an application for the Trexler Grant by the Dec. 1 deadline. The borough would be looking to use the grant for purchasing handicap-accessible picnic tables for both the Coplay pavilion and plaza areas.

The Coplay Community Days committee will be contributing $10,000 to enable the borough to purchase tables, chairs, a podium and other necessary equipment to renovate a classroom in the Fourth Street borough building. This Coplay community meeting room will be a training space for the police department, allowing up to 30 police officers from both the borough and neighboring municipalities to partake in important instruction sessions to develop skills the officers can use in various situations.

Mayor Stephen Burker noted for the past 11 years, the Community Days committee was able to fund more than $150,000 of projects not using taxpayer money. The volunteers, sponsors and large crowds attending the event have made this possible, he said.