At the March 12 Coplay Borough Council meeting, Solicitor James Preston joined council to discuss and propose updates to the borough’s existing code of ordinances.

The definitions of “block” and “half block” were proposed to be added to the definitions and word usage section (Section 21-101). A block has been defined as the linear distance along a street where one cross street intersects to the place where the next cross street intersects. A half block is the measurement from the center point of a block to an intersecting cross street.

The exception in the instance of a cul-de-sac or a dead-end street outlines the block length as the distance from the last intersecting cross street to the end of the cul-de-sac or dead-end street.

Any application issued under the street excavations and openings section will be reviewed by the borough’s director of public works. The conditions added the applicant is required to repave the street under certain circumstances. If criteria of the permit are met and an application is submitted, a cost estimate is developed and payment must be deposited with the borough.

In the event that excavation extended more than half a block, the entire block must be repaved by the permit holder. Any cumulative disturbances of 50 square feet, in one block, by a single entity, occurring within one year, are required to repave the entire block. If five or more excavations, in one block on behalf of a single entity, within a two-year period occur, they will be required to repave the entire block as well.

“In total, what’s happening is we’re trying to address circumstances where there are substantial disturbances to the pavement and making the permit holder liable to repave the street,” Preston said.

This motion was voted on by council to approve advertising the amendment to the borough’s street opening ordinances. The vote to pass updates made to this ordinance will take place at the general meeting in April.

In other business, council announced the civil service test at Whitehall High School’s track and field location has been canceled until further notice.

Mayor Steve Burker added that any discussion or updates surrounding the safety of truck traffic is postponed.

Council approved the usage of 165 Cherry St. as the polling facility for the primary election April 23 and the general election’s tentative date of Nov. 5. Parks and recreation meetings have been moved to the third Tuesday of every month and yard waste collection will begin April 5.

Council next meets April 2 for a workshop meeting and April 9 for the general meeting, both 7 p.m. at the borough office, 98 S. Fourth St.