Weissport Borough Council feels there is a drug problem in the community and has taken several steps to address it: It has activated a part-time police department, it installed more lighting in the borough park and it purchased some security cameras which soon will be installed.

Another step it is hoping to take is to create a Neighborhood Watch program in which residents will take an active role in watching for illicit activities.The council said that at its next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 21, formation of a Neighborhood Watch program will be part of its agenda.Council member Brenda Leiby said there was a recent meeting held with borough officials, state law enforcement officials and invited residents to informally discuss drug trafficking problems existing in the community. That meeting was organized by state Rep. Doyle Heffley.She said those people at the recent meeting have been invited to attend the Aug. 21 meeting. They include state police, officials of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office and political leaders.Council President Gene Kershner said he urges anyone in the community interested in the matter to attend the meeting, which will be held in the borough hall."We're trying to come up with solutions," Leiby said. "Anyone in town willing to attend is invited."In other businessAt Monday council night's meeting:• Leiby said the unveiling of a statue in the borough park for Olympic swimming medalist Betty Mullen Brey, who grew up in Weissport, will be held in the borough park on Sept. 23.Leiby said she has concerns about the ceremony because it is the same day as Bike Night, which will be held on Rock Street in Franklin Township."It's going to be busy with motorcycles going through Weissport," she said. "I'm just concerned about it."• The council said it will ask a district judge to swear in newly hired police officer Brent Getz of Franklin Township. Getz was hired last month as a part-time officer but still hasn't been sworn in.• Councilman Arland Moyer will attend a work session of the fledgling Council of Governments, of which Weissport is a member, today in Parryville. The session is to demonstrate the operation of an asphalt stripper machine that COG purchased.• Council is reviewing an updated ordinance proposed to regulate open burning.• Action was tabled on purchase of a new water heater for the borough hall. Moyer said he got quotes from Lowe's in Lehighton. A 30-gallon heater would cost $340 and have a six-year warranty. A 50-gallon heater would cost $575 and have a 15-year warranty. The could be other costs involved, Moyer said.He said the present water heater isn't working and it would require new wiring and a new circuit breaker to continue using it.• Council Greg May presented three quotes from Schnell's Sides and Signs of Lehighton for replacing the roof on the borough hall. The council tabled the matter until its next meeting. One quote is for a painted roof, which would last an estimated three years. This price is $3,320.The second quote is to remove the existing roof and replace it with a new one with special material. The cost would be $12,400 and the roof would last an estimated 25 years.The third price given is for a steel roof with a life span of about 30 years. The estimated cost of this is $9,105.Borough Treasurer Bill Donovan said there are funds available to cover the cost of the project.• Moyer said the borough is going to be reinstating excavating permits, in which permits would have to be obtained for any type of projects involving digging in the streets. The proposal is still being tweaked, he said. "Our present ordinance is outdated," he said, noting the present cost is only $10 for such a permit.