Coplay Fire Chief David Buskaritz is resigning.

At the borough's workshop meeting Tuesday night, Councilman Charles Sodl read correspondence from Buskaritz.

"After 36 years of service in the borough's fire department, it is with heavy heart [that I] inform you of my resignation as fire chief. I'm also retiring from the fire service. The past seven years as chief, to say the least, was challenging. My resignation and retirement will take effect on Jan. 1, 2013," said Sodl, as he read the letter.

The full council, Buskaritz and the two assitant chiefs met Nov. 26 for an "information gathering session" that was closed to the public. During this meeting, the issue of fire department expenditures for fuel was discussed, Councilman Bill Leiner Jr. told The Press last week.

Tuesday night, Sodl thanked Buskaritz for being accommodating to him as council's newest member and then went on to speak about the fire department's fuel expense.

"Accountability," Sodl said, describing it as "a word that's important to me and should be to all of us."

Through October, he said, the fire department has spent $3,674 on fuel for vehicles. This breaks down to $988 in fuel purchases for fire apparatus, $2,081 in gasoline for the fire chief's car and $605 for gasoline for vehicles belonging to the two assistant chiefs.

The 2012 budget includes a $4,000 line item for "gas and oil" under the fire and water portion of the emergency services section. The same amount appears in the proposed 2013 budget.

Acknowledging the expenditures may be necessary, Sodl said he has no information on where the vehicles were going or what they were doing. If this were a business, the chief and assistant chiefs would have to file expense reports and fill out mileage logs.

"This is the difference between business and government ... In business, you have to produce profit to pay those bills. In government, you just take it off the tree and, in this case, it's the taxpayer," Sodl said.

Directing his questions to Leiner, Sodl asked if the fire department should be allowed to spend $4,000 just because $4,000 was budgeted.

"You weren't here. I wasn't here when it was set up that way," said Leiner. "If you're suggesting that adjustments be made in next year's budget, I'm with you."

"A budget is a guide. Just because it's there doesn't mean you have to spend it," Sodl said.

Leiner suggested Buskaritz explain the fuel expenditure.

"I use the car so I can get to a call, no matter where I am, within a reasonable distance," said Buskaritz.

Sodl said he believes the borough should keep a log in order to determine how many miles are used for business and how many are not, adding that he believes the IRS might have issues with the borough's current practice.

"How about the $605 for employees?" Sodl asked Leiner. "You're saying that's all right, too?"

"Don't put words in my mouth," said Leiner.

"I'm asking you a question," Sodl said.

"If you're asking for a log for 2013 ... I would agree with you. But it seems like you're pugnacious. You want to fight. Keep the temperature down a little bit," Leiner said.

At this point, Council President Lou Bodish interjected, saying as the head of the emergency services committee, Sodl has the right to request that logs be kept in the future.

Sodl asked if council was going to address the issue or continue to allow the current practice of letting department heads spend whatever is budgeted.

"What were you told?" Leiner asked Buskaritz.

Buskaritz said he was told nothing except that he could use the money as he saw fit "as long as it stays within budget."

Bodish suggested Sodl bring some proposed changes to the next meeting.

Sodl said he would.

Asked after the meeting if he wished to comment on his resignation, Buskaritz said he is resigning for "personal reasons."