Coplay Borough Council heard an update March 13 on the planned improvements to Saylor Park.

According to David Witczak, borough engineer, “We are putting in place pre-purchase of some of the equipment.”

The pre-purchased equipment includes bleachers, basketball backboards, etc. The theory behind these purchases is that the equipment can be installed shortly after the infrastructure is completed. Completion times are compressed with equipment purchased and pre-positioned.

Witczak is releasing the bid for the project later this month. The Request For Proposal is a base bid with eight alternatives.

“The alternatives will give council a look at various choices and options,” he said.

The other major project on the table, a multi-building apartment complex along the Ironton Rail Trail, is scheduled for a review before council. The project has been through the borough’s planning commission and has all the necessary approvals. There are various conditions associated with the approval. One condition that concerns certain members of council is stormwater management.

As Solicitor Lisa Pereira explained, if there is a failure of the stormwater system because the owner did not maintain it, then the owner is responsible for any damage that may occur to borough-owned property (like the IRT) or to any neighboring privately owned property. Major storm events are not the owner’s responsibility.

Councilman Charles Sodl indicated he wants to focus on solutions to potential stormwater problems.

In other news, Councilman Stephen Burker is working feverishly on the Saquon Barkley parade scheduled for March 24 in the borough. (See page A12 for additional details.)

Chris Sodl asked council to investigate problems he experienced with the postal service.

“They have a new postmaster, and we have problems with mail delivery. We are getting a lot of mail delivered incorrectly,” he said.

According to Sodl, the post office withheld deliveries for almost a week, and on some days, carriers did not pick up mail. There are new carriers on the routes, which he said compounds the problem. Council members indicated they would investigate to get an idea of where problems exist.

The borough office will be closed March 30 for the Easter weekend.

Yard waste pickups begin April 18.