Coplay Borough Council met in several executive sessions prior to its latest meeting to debate the purchase of real estate.

After the June 9 meeting, Councilman Stephen Burker announced that the council agreed to purchase the former General Supply Company site at 1 Bridge St. The price was quoted at $215,000.

A Community Reinvestment and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) had considered the long-vacant site for tax abatement, but funds were not allocated to Coplay for the program by the state.

During various reviews, one suggestion included a proposal to have the site used as a refreshment center for patrons of the Ironton Rail Trail. No proposed land-use alternative was considered viable.

"The purpose of this purchase is to relocate the public works department," Burker said. "We have outgrown our current garage that's attached to the municipal building on Fourth Street."

The existing garage has three double bays, but he said it is still insufficient to house all the borough's trucks and road equipment.

"In addition to the equipment, the property will allow us to store materials at a secure site," Burker said.

He specifically cited a need to store road salt after the borough experienced road salt shortages over the past two winters.

"Currently we rent a facility to store salt, and it has limited capacity. We can only store enough for one winter event. When there is a salt storage, we need to buy salt when prices are the highest," he said.

Burker said the borough is interested in exploring other opportunities for the land, including a yard waste recycling center to better serve residents.

At the last meeting, Councilman David Royer indicated that improving the heating system in the existing municipal building would exceed $300,000.

No funding decision was made. Funding decisions will need a public vote.

Burker indicated that the owners of General Supply accepted the offer.