Last year, Coplay Borough adopted a curfew for teens 17 and under. The curfew was opposed by then-Mayor Joseph Bundra and former Councilman William Leiner Jr. Bundra resigned when the curfew was implemented. When the curfew was made permanent at council’s meeting Sept. 13, there was no opposition.

“We think what we have done with the curfew has served the borough well, and we want to keep it,” said Councilman Stephen Burker before the meeting.

In other business, Richard Hess, of the borough’s zoning hearing board, asked council to get at least one other member appointed to the board.

“We need to hold a hearing in 60 days, and we only have two members,” he said.

According to Solicitor Lisa Pereira, two members could make a decision on any motion before the board, but if there is a disagreement, a tie is considered a no vote. Mayor Dean Molitoris will take the matter under advisement and search for a member. Anyone interested in the position is asked to send a resume to Borough Secretary Sandra Gyecsek.

Council required new homeowners at 314 Stone Alley to install a regular sidewalk along the alley. The borough permits a sidewalk 30 inches wide on alleys, but the alley is wide enough to require a standard 50-inch-wide sidewalk.

Pereira advised the board on a couple of issues surrounding inspections at 130 S. Ninth St. The borough claims the property does not meet sanitary conditions because it housed a bevy of cats at one time. The owner did commit to cleaning up the house. After an extended delay by the owner, the borough took court action to take the property. The court ruled the owner must show compliance and scheduled an inspection of the property in mid-October. Pereira noted the judge restricted the inspection to the borough’s code enforcement officer and/or the borough secretary.

Councilman Charles Sodl objected to the court’s restriction and asked that the order be amended to allow a member of council to be included in the inspection. According to Pereira, the court specifically excluded members of council, but she said she would ask the judge to reconsider.

If the property is found to be in compliance, all further action ceases. If the property is not in compliance, a follow-up court date of Nov. 7 is scheduled.

There is a list of outstanding items originally generated by the code enforcement officer that need to be repaired and cleared. The list will be the basis for determining if the property is in compliance.

Pereira asked council to look into two other matters. With the prospect of legalizing medical marijuana, the borough needs to add zoning restrictions for the sale and growing of marijuana.

“If there is no mention of marijuana in the zoning ordinance, then an entrepreneur is free to locate a business anywhere in the borough,” she said.

According to Pereira, most medical marijuana is grown indoors in a controlled environment.

A recent court decision will have an impact on signage restrictions. Pereira wants to have the details reviewed and zoning ordinances modified to comply with the court’s ruling.

Borough Engineer Daniel Witczak reported on changes made to the road project on Front Street.

“The road bed was in worse shape than we anticipated. We have a bid of $8,175 to put in the necessary fill to support the roadway. We were able to delete some concrete repairs in the contract,” he said.

Completion on the project is projected to be Oct. 21. The project is partially funded with grants, and the completion date will meet the grant requirements.

Burker reported that Community Days attracted more than 10,000 people.

“It was one of the best events ever. We received compliments from visitors as far away as Macungie. The event is affordable and family friendly. Word is getting out.”

Burker also said he is working on a fundraiser in December for the civic plaza on Second Street.

Councilwoman Janet Eisenhauer is working with Giant Food Stores to make contributions to the Coplay food bank.