Coplay residents will have their first look at the proposed 2016 budget during council’s regular meeting Nov. 10. This will be the last budget prepared by Joseph Groller, who will be leaving council in December.

Council did not give any indication if a tax increase will be necessary.

Councilman Charles Sodl expressed an interest in delving into the finances of the Ironton Rail Trail (IRT) at an earlier meeting.

“I met with Dave Royer on the expenses, and he agrees that we should pay expenses out of an IRT account,” Sodl said.

Presently, IRT expenses are paid out of the recreational account. Any funds remaining in the recreational account are transferred to the IRT at the end of the year.

According to borough Treasurer Sandra Gyecsek, the change would make little difference in how the funds are paid.

“We should have more control over the funds in the IRT account,” Sodl countered.

Council will address the change at its regular meeting.

Sodl noted Coplay Public Works Department spent 147 hours of time on IRT maintenance. Councilman David Royer indicated that the work by public works is not out of line when compared to work done by Whitehall.

“We don’t have as much of the trail as Whitehall, but our portion is well maintained,” Royer said.

Mayor Joseph Bundra noted privately the IRT attracts 80,000 people a year. It is a major attraction in Coplay, and the cooperation with participating municipalities on the trail has made it one of the premier walking/bike trails in the area.

Bundra reported a meeting of mayors of local municipalities and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation revealed a program of 200-plus road projects in the area.

“We don’t know how many of these projects will actually happen,” he said.

Councilman Stephen Burker and public works Director Paul Boyle discussed options for Coplay’s Parkway Pool. Boyle is meeting with contractors to get a cost estimate to convert the shallow pool into a splash pad.

Burker also reported progress on the project to remove lights and poles at the Coplay Sports ballpark. The changes underway are designed to improve the space and attract District 11 finals to the ballpark. The finals were moved several years ago because conditions at the park deteriorated. The old scoreboard is gone with the recent renovations, but sponsors are lining up to provide a new scoreboard.