A parking enforcement officer may be coming to Bath as officials begin planning for the transition to Pennsylvania State Police coverage.

The borough will be issuing parking tickets beginning in 2019. State police will not enforce borough ordinances, which include parking tickets.

An issue was the perception in the community and by some elected officials that Colonial Regional Police Department was not providing the level of service it provided in previous years.

Council Vice President Michele Ehrgott said, “We are still paying. We should get services.”

President Mark Saginario replied, “We pay 35K a month, and we get reactive service.”

A traffic survey was conducted by borough officials in the borough’s Christmas Terrace area. The study was a response to resident complaints of speeding.

Another necessary preparation for the policing change is to develop a plan to provide traffic safety at the numerous community events held in Bath. A town hall meeting is planned for 10 a.m.-noon May 5 at the Bath Social Hall to update on the police change and the new borough hall construction and provide an open forum.

In other matters, Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito floated the idea of holding a car raffle to raise funds for a possible splash pad. Reginelli-Mirabito has a long history of successful fundraising to benefit the community. The raffle would run for about a year. The idea was met with enthusiasm from the council and residents present.

Saginario asked council to consider a timeline to address the plan to complete the new borough hall renovation.

“A timeline would help with accountability in its completion,” Saginario said.

A timeline would include a “soft opening” in June and a full open house in July.

It was reported that the 1,800-pound safe in the old municipal building will cost $2,125 to relocate to the new borough hall.

Saginario said the renovation of the former Thirst Quenchers building remains under budget because of the high level of volunteer help.

The next Bath Borough Council meeting is 7 p.m. April 2 at the municipal building, 215 E. Main St.