Whitehall-Coplay Press

At the July 21 regular meeting of Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority, General Manager David Harman reported bids are out to rehabilitate 150 manholes. The bids are due Aug. 16.

At the Coplay Borough Council workshop Tuesday night, Police Chief Vincent Genovese and Mayor Dean Molitoris gave police officers Kurt Shumberger and Ryan Emerick letters of commendation for their recent efforts in capturing a serial burglar in the borough.

According to Genovese, Shumberger saw a car reported as stolen in a neighboring municipality parked in Coplay. The driver had taken to the streets. When Emerick heard the radio report, he found the suspect.

“This is the kind of dedication we know exists on our police force,” Genovese said.

In an abbreviated session June 16, the Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority board announced it has tentative approval for a grant to rework the sewer on Front Street in Coplay.

“The correspondence we have says that a [Community Development Block Grant] grant will be awarded for rebuilding the sewer line. This is not the actual award. That will be announced at a later date,” Chairman John Schreiner said.

The controversial project has been in the offing for some time. Coplay is in the process of improving Front Street and invested funds to complete the north end of the street.

At Coplay Borough Council’s regular meeting June 14, council members decided to allow Cub Scout Pack 32 free use of the pavilion for the group’s Rain Gutter Regatta Aug. 18.

Council granted StarCross Youth Performing Arts use of the pavilion for a reduced rate of $80 for an event Sept. 17.

Anne Killeen objected to the standards imposed by council.

At Coplay’s workshop session June 7, Councilman Steve Burker asked council to consider recognizing residents past and present for contributions made to the borough.

“I’m not really thinking of this as a Hall of Fame, but more something that honors residents who made a contribution. More like a Pride of Coplay,” he said.

Council agreed with the suggestion.

Councilman Charles Sodl pointed out that a recognition ceremony would work nicely with the borough’s upcoming 150th anniversary celebration.

On May 19, Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority had its annual review. The review brings together all the significant players and provides insight into each area of the authority’s operation.

First up on the agenda was John Barry from Brown & Brown, CWSA’s insurance agent. The company covers losses on the authority’s assets. Insurance costs increased by 2.6 percent during the review period.

Penn State Extension’s Denise Continenza, who coordinates the Communities That Care program with Whitehall-Coplay School District, addressed Coplay Borough Council at its workshop session May 3.

At the May 10 meeting of Coplay Borough Council, borough Secretary Sandra Gyecsek read correspondence from Department of Conservation and Natural Resources indicating the department is seeking a grant to complete 3.8 miles of trail connecting Ironton Rail Trail (IRT) to D&L Trail’s Cementon Trailhead.

“We have seen this request before, but it looks as if we have a better chance to get the grant this time around,” Councilman David Royer said.

The roadblock always has been negotiating with Norfolk & Southern Railroad, which controls the property.

Police Chief Douglas Kish presented Catasauqua Borough Police Officers Donald Stratton and Scott Rothrock with the Combat Cross, a merit award for action taken Feb. 23, 2015, against an armed suspect. The presentation was made at the April 4 meeting of Catasauqua Borough Council.

Lee Rackus, Whitehall Township’s bureau chief for planning, zoning and development, headed up a meeting with Coplay-Whitehall Sewer Authority and Whitehall commissioners April 27. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss revamping the township’s 537 Sewer Plan. The groups met last year to discuss extending public sewer to the northern tier of the township. At the prior meeting, the economic costs did not justify extending the system.