At Coplay Borough Council’s regular meeting June 11, Attorney Lisa Pereira notified council of Coplay Saengerbund’s request to continue operating under the borough’s noise ordinance.

Five years ago, Coplay went through an exaggerated process to explain the legal differences between noise defined by the Liquor Control Board and noise defined by the borough’s ordinance.

The discussion was prompted by noise claims from homeowners near the Saengerbund.

The LCB defines noise as anything that can be heard outside the walls of a tavern. The idea is that the LCB does not want to have taverns in populated areas. The LCB noise level is routinely ignored.

In its place is an alternate rule that allows a tavern to adopt local noise criteria that usually allow some tolerance for noise as long as it is not excessive.

Coplay and the Saengerbund agreed to follow the local standards in 2014. Police are equipped with decibel meters to measure noise levels. According to Pereira, there have been no noise violations during the past five years. Saengerbund has been a cooperating business, to the point where certain bands cannot come to the concert hall because they are too loud.

Pereira will prepare the necessary paperwork to continue the program for another five years.

In other business, council President Louis Bodish provided some insight into how messages will get onto the new digital community message board. Everything will be funneled through the borough office.

According to Kim Bachman, the borough secretary, requests were made to advertise the Cement Belt Fair and other community-related events. Bodish is reluctant to make commitments until the staff gets more experienced with what makes sense on the digital sign.

Councilman Charles Sodl wants to see printed guidelines on what can be displayed. Council agreed to prepare the guidelines for review.

Although resident Jim Asbury argued against a dedicated parking spot for Buzz N Beyond, council approved the request. Asbury, a resident in the area, contended that two other hair salons are nearby and might want dedicated spots.

“We could just be getting into some trouble over these commercial spots while parking space for residents is at a premium,” he said.