Coplay Borough Council, at its meeting Nov. 11, approved the use of the gymnasium by the borough’s recreation and welfare association for the annual tree lighting and holiday concert.

The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 on the grounds of borough hall, 98 S. Fourth St.

The Coplay Community Days group received approval to lease Coplay Community Plaza, North Second and Chestnut streets, through Jan. 31, 2026. Decorations have been placed there for passersby to enjoy this holiday season.

In other news, council approved the advertisement of a special meeting Dec. 15 for the final budget reading and an ordinance setting the 2026 tax rate. That meeting will be held 6 p.m. at borough hall.

William Ehritz was also approved to serve on the borough zoning hearing board for an additional three-year term.

Members of the borough’s police department were approved for a vacation payout for 2025. Police Chief Ryan Emerich will receive seven days, or 56 hours, in the amount at $2,408.56. Officer Juan Araujo will receive 40 hours of pay, in the amount of $1,290.40.

Council approved the hiring of James Miskanic as a police cadet starting in January. The employment is pending physical agility and Nelson-Denny testing at Allentown Police Academy.

The Nelson-Denny Reading Test, by definition, is used in some police hiring processes to assess reading comprehension and vocabulary, not as an indicator of police skill.

Coplay Fire Department was approved for payment of $18,000 to finish its Hometown Hero project, which includes the installation of a kitchen, upgrade of bathrooms, construction of two bunk rooms and the resurfacing of the parking lot. The payment is contingent on the fire department’s successful acquisition of additional funding from Points of Light.

Borough council will next meet Dec. 2 for a workshop and Dec. 9 for a regular meeting. Both are held 7 p.m. at borough hall.