Work has begun on Coplay Borough's Community Plaza.

A team from Lowe's brought supplies to the area Monday and immediately got to work on prepping the soil and planting shrubs and flowers.

According to Councilman Stephen Burker, "[The borough] applied for a project from Lowe's to improve a parcel dedicated to Community Plaza. They are supplying the labor and materials to get the project done."

About a year ago, the borough began negotiations with Giant Foods for the triangular patch of ground next to the market. Giant donated the land.

Mary Jo Bretzius, who works for Lowe's, told Burker about the community outreach programs that the company offered. The borough applied for the project, and it was approved.

"This is the start of a lot of improvements for the borough," said Burker.

At its regular meeting on July 14, Coplay Borough Council voted on several changes and made appointments to fill vacancies on its boards and commissions.

Based on a proposal by Police Chief Vincent Genovese, council approved increasing pay for part-time police officers from $16.38 per hour to $16.75. As part of the increase in the hourly rate, council approved hiring an additional part-time police officer who would be dedicated to the borough for 32 hours.

Richard Bundra and George Prebula were appointed to the Civil Service Commission for the terms expiring in 2016.

The borough's longtime engineer, Roy Stewart, is retiring and moving out of the area. He is replaced by Ryan Christman of Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Council amended the rules on the use of credit cards by borough officials. The fire chief will be able to pay for approved expenses using a credit card. Borough staff will be able to pay bills using online bill payment programs.

With council discussing the possible purchase of land for the public works department and necessary improvements to the municipal building or even constructing a new borough hall, local resident Melvin Procanyn asked council to provide details on how the projects would be financed.

"We can't really give you any details because we have not made any commitments to purchase anything," said Council President Louis Bodish. "We expect taxes to be in line with last year."

According to Councilman William Leiner, council, as it is configured, has raised taxes every year. The borough will evaluate its options to finance projects once it has determined its direction.

According to Councilman Joseph Groller, a quarter-mill increase in taxes nets the borough around $36,000 annually. In the past, the borough did make a long-term loan to cover capital improvement expenses.