The evaluation is in. The Hatfields and McCoys of Coplay need to patch things up.

At the request of Coplay Councilman Charles Sodl, Whitehall Fire Chief Robert Benner and former Emmaus Fire Chief Robert Reiss completed an evaluation of the Coplay Fire Department. Sodl read the report at the May 7 workshop meeting.

The first suggestion listed in the report is, "Form a committee comprised of two members from the Coplay Fire Department [and] two members from the social company along with a borough councilman. This committee would be responsible to come up with a workable solution to jointly share the building for the benefit of both organizations and the community."

Coplay Borough Council separated the Coplay Fire Company – now known as the CFC or Commitment to Family and Community – and the fire department in December 2005. The fire company served as the social and fundraising arm of the fire department, but council members believed the money raised by the fire company was not reaching the fire department.

Subsequently, the borough got caught up in a legal dispute over the use of fire hall on Cherry Street.

Sodl has referred to two sides in the dispute as "the Hatfields and McCoys."

In March, Sodl announced plans for area fire chiefs to review the Coplay Fire Department. The review panel was to consist of Reiss, Benner and former Catasauqua Fire Chief Sam Burrows, who was unable to contribute because of health issues. Benner and Reiss completed the evaluation and wrote a memo which Sodl shared at council's workshop May 7.

"They were all very gracious," Sodl said of Coplay's firefighters, who were each interviewed by Reiss and Benner.

"We have a path now," said Sodl, referring to Benner's and Reiss's report.

"One issue appears to be the operation of the former Coplay fire company building which appears to hinder the firefighters in their fundraising efforts," reads the memo, dated April 7.

The committee, made up of representatives of both groups plus a councilman "should provide guidelines for the use of the building," the memo says.

After the split, the fire department continued to store equipment in the building, which CFC controlled.

"This committee would oversee the continued operation and resolve any differences that may occur between both parties," the memo says. "This should also meet the satisfaction of the Borough of Coplay Council."

The last two items on the list of suggestions concerned the fire chief. In December 2012, former chief David Buskaritz announced he would be resigning as of Jan. 1 after Sodl raised questions about the firefighters' fuel expenses.

Council appointed Matthew Buskaritz, who had been one of two assistant chiefs, to the position on an interim basis. Over objections from firefighters at that meeting, council then voted to advertise for a new chief from outside the department.

"Another item was the fact that supposedly borough council advertised for a fire chief which was unknown to most fire department members," says the report. "According to the borough ordinance and fire department standard operating guidelines, chief officers are elected by members and approved by council."

The report suggests the borough look into the procedure to determine whether it is in line with guidelines.

If the borough decides to continue to seek a chief from outside the department, the position should be "properly advertised so the present fire department members can apply."

Sodl said after the May 14 meeting no decision has been made on whether to follow the recommendations.

Each suggestion made in the report will be considered.