Within the next several weeks, in late April or early May, the borough of Coplay will be alive with community banners. The successful effort by the Coplay Planning Commission is paying dividends. There will be 70 banners on utility poles along Second and Chestnut streets, along with other designated areas in the borough.

At the outset of the program, it was thought the project would result in the sponsorship of approximately 30 plus banners extolling the community. The public response has been gratifying, with double that amount being purchased. Most civic, business and community organizations in the borough have signed on for one or more banners featuring the name of the sponsor on the banner bottoms. A surprising number of individuals and families have also sponsored banners, in memory of a family member or members. The banners depict the Saylor Cement Kilns and the former Coplay High School, now the municipal building.

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Remember when an overwhelming number of borough residents voted in favor of a special tax to benefit the Coplay Public Library and keep it afloat last year? The tax was put to a vote after the Whitehall-Coplay School District ceased allocating funds to the library annually. Now, with borough property owners receiving their real estate tax bills, the amount they are billed for the library is noted. The borough, in its 2014 budget estimates receipts for the library from the special tax is about $70,400.

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A reminder, a MedRX return drug collection box, resembling a mailbox, is in the lobby in front of the police station at the municipal building, Fourth and Center streets.

Residents can dispose their unused prescription medicine and pills in the box. Along with over-the-counter medications. Also accepted will be pet medications, vitamins, ointments and prescription patches. Items not accepted include syringes, sharp objects, medications from clinics and businesses, lotions and liquids. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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One date closely watched by many borough residents is when the yard waste collections resume. The borough public works department will begin collection of yard waste April 4. A reminder, yard waste cannot be in a bag of any kind, plastic or paper, since such materials will not be accepted at the station where it is deposited.

Tree and brush branches cannot be more than three feet in length. Also, the open containers cannot be so heavy that it takes two persons to pick them up or they will remain at the property.

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The Coplay Public Library will host a book and bake sale 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4-5. Anyone interested in baking should call Jane Gillespie at 610-261-1243 or Joan Witko at 610-261-1221.