At Coplay Borough Council’s workshop meeting March 6, councilpersons discussed the Saylor Park groundbreaking that is scheduled for April. Councilwoman Janet Eisenhauer is working to get financing in place. According to Eisenhauer, there was a problem with the commitment letter the bank needed to secure financing. She is working to get the details resolved.

Earlier this year, the borough worked out an arrangement where it paid off its existing loan and secured a new loan with a higher face value to provide matching funds the borough needs for Saylor Park improvements.

In other news, public works Director Paul Boyle reported on storm damage around the borough. Although there are trees held up with power lines, PPL has everything on a schedule to get it cleared. The borough incurred some damage to a lean-to storage building left on site when General Supply closed. The borough now owns the property at 1 Bridge St.

“It’s a mass of scrap metal,” Boyle said.

The building will remain as is until the insurance company has a chance to look at it.

DVS Enterprises proposed to construct a multi-unit apartment complex near the Ironton Rail Trail (IRT). It will be similar to the large complex across Second Street from the proposed site. The project has cleared several difficult hurdles. It was the subject of an hourslong discussion in Whitehall since a third of the property is in Whitehall Township.

“There are still quite a few problems to be worked out, one of which is stormwater detention. I doubt if they will be ready for our regular meeting this month, so we need to look at April for a presentation,” Councilman Charles Sodl said.

A few members of council met with state Rep. Jeanne McNeil, D-133rd, about potential grants available for improvements along the Lehigh River.

“The idea is to have a boat dock and maybe even a way to have an emergency rescue station at the river,” Councilman Stephen Burker said.

A potential staging area for kayaks and canoes along with trail head parking might enhance the waterfront behind the proposed municipal building. With some further improvements, the IRT can connect to the D&L Trail and provide recreational hiking and biking north to White Haven and south to near Philadelphia.

“This would not be in competition with Catasauqua. Both docks could be accommodated,” Council President Louis Bodish said.

According to Burker, Wildlands Conservancy has an impact on how the funds are distributed.

Also at the meeting, Boyle confirmed that yard waste pickups will begin in April.

“We’ll start the first or second week, depending on weather,” he said.