Coplay Borough Council held its reorganization meeting Jan. 2 in council chambers at the municipal building.

A mural of the Saylor Kilns provided a picturesque backdrop for the proceedings. The kilns are the historical symbol for Coplay, part of the original Coplay Cement Company founded by David O. Saylor in 1867 when Saylor and two other men purchased about 30 acres of land where Coplay Cement was built.

Newly elected Councilmen Dean Hermany and Todd Santoroski and re-elected Councilmen Mike Dreisbach and Richard Kern Jr. were administered the oath of office by Coplay Mayor Stephen Burker before a full room of family members and residents.

Pennsylvania state law requires municipalities to reorganize every two years on even years. The meeting agenda includes the election of council president, vice president and council pro-tempore. Various other appointments are made after the new council is seated.

The borough’s mayor runs the meeting until the president and vice president are selected via a vote from council. After the president and vice president are elected, the mayor turns the meeting over to the newly elected president.

Burker used his gavel time to issue a statement to his Coplay constituency.

“As mayor, I look forward to working together with my fellow colleagues to be proactive in 2024, enhancing the lifestyle of all who call Coplay home,” Burker said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead, making God’s square-mile masterpiece a great place to live, raise a family and set up a business. We will be able to do all this by working together.”

Council elected Councilman Louis Bodish to remain as council president, a post he has held for more than 10 years. Councilman Charles Sodl, not present at the meeting, was elected vice president, and Kern was elected council pro-tempore.

Council pro-tempore, commonly called council pro-tem, is the presiding officer at a council meeting if both the president or vice president are unavailable to attend. The Latin term pro-tempore means “temporarily or for the time being.”

Council went right to work, making numerous appointments to name a borough secretary, treasurer, borough solicitor, police and fire chief, public works director, borough health inspector, code enforcement officer and borough right to know officer.

Several resolutions were passed to set the garbage tax rate, set council meeting dates and times for 2024, designate a banking relationship for the borough, grant check-signing authority and appoint tax collectors.

All resolutions are available for review by contacting the borough office at 610-262-6088.

Council will next meet 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at the municipal building, 98 S. Fourth St.