Coplay Borough may just get an emergency generator after all.

Last year, the borough applied for a $40,000 grant to purchase a 30-kilowatt generator to run the borough office, police department and emergency services in the event of a power outage. However, the application, to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was denied.

"But they gave us an alternate plan," said Councilman Charles Sodl at Tuesday's meeting.

FEMA contacted the borough to say because of the draw down of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the number of generators available through the surplus program has increased.

The surplus program has 5,000-, 10,000- and 15,000-kilowatt generators that are only two years old and run on diesel. The 15,000-kilowatt version costs less than $2,000, Sodl said.

Sodl and police Chief Vincent Genovese tentatively planned to go see the generators today, along with public works Director Dan Pavelko, if he would be available.

"If we can buy it, should we just buy it and move ahead?" Sodl asked council.

His question resulted in a lively discussion that ended in a heated exchange between Sodl and Councilman Bill Leiner Jr.

Councilman Joseph Groller said council could authorize Sodl to make the purchase but put a cap on expenditures. President Lou Bodish agreed.

Leiner said Sodl and Genovese should look at the generators, gather information and bring it for discussion at the Aug. 4 workshop.

Acknowledging buying the generator is a "great idea," Leiner said, "I just get nervous buying stuff that I don't even know what it looks like."

"If it's not feasible, I'm not going to go with it," said Sodl.

"I commend the zeal, the energy of a man–," said Leiner, referring to Sodl.

"Stop with the platitudes," interrupted Sodl, saying attitudes like Leiner's have kept the borough behind the times.

"Let's get a vote. Stop talking about it," said Leiner. "I made my intentions clear. If you don't respect that, it's up to you."

"I want to see progress," said Sodl. When Leiner said he also wants progress, Sodl said, "Well, we haven't seen any in the last 15 years."

"That's enough," said Bodish, repeating that council could cap the total expenditures.

"Come up with a number," he said. "We could vote right now."

"I would look at $5,000," said Sodl. "I would be comfortable with that. Once we start going over that, then I'm not so sure."

Bodish asked every councilman what number he suggested. All said $5,000 was OK.

"I'm OK with $5,000," said Leiner. Then he added, "It doesn't mean I'm going to vote for it."

With Leiner casting the sole opposing vote, council authorized Sodl to purchase a U.S. surplus generator at a cost, including installation, not to exceed $5,000.

Although the 15,000-kilowatt version would not run everything, such as heat for the building, it would be able to run the police office, server, borough office, computers and some lights, said borough Secretary-Treasurer Sandra Gyecsek, reporting on a conversation she had with Genovese, who did not attend the meeting.

"It would be able to do the basics, to keep us up and running," she said.