It looks like St. Peter's church will be getting its $1,000 back.

At its Aug. 5 meeting, Coplay Borough Council discussed the issue of whether to release the $1,000 escrow which the borough collected from the church for the demolition of the school.

A vote is scheduled for the Aug. 13 council meeting.

In March, the church announced a decision to demolish the former school "after many meetings regarding the logic, finances and discussion of parishioner acceptance."

The project began in April with the removal of asbestos inside, with the actual demolition scheduled for May.

"The school footprint will be leveled off with fill and crushed stone and remain this way for at least a year to allow for settlement," says an informational sheet given out to parishioners in March. "Future plans for this area have not been addressed at present."

The building has been demolished and the site is filled with stone. According to a letter sent to the borough by the church, the lot will not be paved until November 2014.

"Technically [Code Enforcement Officer] Ron [Helman] can't sign off to release that escrow check without everything being completed, including them to repave that area that's now stone," said borough Secretary-Treasurer Sandra Gyecsek after reading a letter from the church requesting return of the escrow. "In order for us to release that check, council is going to have to approve it."

Helman did not attend the meeting.

Councilman Joseph Groller said the church wants to wait for the fill to settle before paving "so if it does settle any more they can fill it and they can do a good job [paving]. Do it now, it settles and you have to repave."

Councilman Charles Sodl said he understands the reasons the church wants to wait. However, the borough collects escrow money in case the developer – or, in this case, the church – doesn't finish a project and the borough has to pay to finish it.

"The escrow is held so it gets done," he said. "We're saying, 'Dear Lord, forgive me but we're going ... on faith.'"

Mayor Joseph Bundra argued the work related to the demolition has been completed.

"They don't want to blacktop it now because they'll be just spending money foolishly," he said. "They feel the job is completed. They signed off with the demolition crew. The job's complete. It's done."

However, Helman says the site needs to be paved, Bundra said.

Bundra said the demolition contractor has completed its work. Who will do the paving has yet to be decided.

Council President Lou Bodish said the site currently meets the requirements set forth by borough ordinance.

"If you read this ordinance, for 'proper and safe condition,' it is meant that all debris is cleared away and any excavating remain is either filled in or tamped down or surrounded by a snow fence," said Bodish.

"When does the blacktopping come in?" Sodl asked.

"They could fill it in and put grass there if they wanted to," said Bodish. "But they don't have to put macadam in."

"So you're saying to me, so I understand, that they fulfilled the ordinance?" Sodl asked.

"Correct," said Bodish.

"Paving wasn't in that original contract for demolition," said Councilman David Royer.

"That changes the story," said Sodl, adding there is "no question" the church should get its money back.