During the Oct. 3 Coplay Borough Council meeting, Councilman Mark Molitoris, who serves as the chair of the parks and recreation committee, provided financial statistics from the 2023 pool season.

The cost to run the pool for the season totaled $53,423. The total income from the pool was $20,896. Expenses were down $10,000, and the fundraising efforts yielded $4,700. Despite the fundraising effort, the costs still outweighed the income.

In the first half of 2023, council decided to keep the pool open for the season and take next steps based on the income results. As discussed earlier this year, council members once again talked about the idea of having a voter referendum on an upcoming ballot to let the borough residents decide on the future of the pool.

Discussion ensued surrounding the stray cat and dog issue in the borough. At a previous meeting, Police Chief Ryan Emerich asked council to consider using the services of a vendor to handle strays.

Council members discussed the cost associated with various animal shelter vendors in order to give relief in this area. This resulted in an addition to the agenda for the next meeting to have council vote on a $400 allowance to be used through the end of 2023 for the trap and release of strays via the Sanctuary at Haafsville.

This agenda item will include voting on capping funds allocated for handling strays at $2,000 through the same vendor in 2024.

The planning commission recommended the approval of waivers with deferred easement for sidewalks and lot line adjustments for properties located at 280 N. Second St. and 312 Stone Alley. These approvals were recommended by Acela, the engineering company utilized by the borough. This issue will be on the agenda for a vote at next week’s meeting.

Councilman Rick Kern, grant committee chair, said the borough is planning on applying for a Local Share Account state grant that would allow the purchase of a street sweeper. The cost of this new equipment is $352,171.75.

Paul Boyle, public works director, reported the sweeper would be a “great asset” to the borough since it can clear trash from storm drains and help keep waste out of the Lehigh River with its vacuum system. Also, the borough would not have to rely on another vendor to do the street sweeping in a timely manner.

Councilwoman Janet Eisenhauer, chair of the library committee, reported Coplay Public Library will hold its last book and bake sale of the year Oct. 6 and 7. Eisenhauer also noted there are two vacancies on the library board to be filled in 2024.

Eisenhauer, who is also the chair of the finance committee, said she intends to provide a first look at the 2024 budget by the November workshop meeting.

Councilman Mike Dreisbach reported the security camera installation at the Coplay fire station will be completed by Oct. 9.

Borough council next meets Oct. 10 at the municipal building, 98 S. Fourth St.