Mayor Herb Whildin of Coaldale began Tuesday night’s monthly meeting by thanking the three police officers who served on the night of the July 4 holiday. He also said fireworks prove to be more of an issue each year, which makes it harder for the police officers to keep up with the complaints.

“People can appreciate fireworks, but not in the middle of the day or at 2 in the morning,” council President Angela Krapf said. “It happens one to two months before (the holiday). There’s just no respect for other people.”

An existing fireworks ordinance states that no aerial fireworks are allowed to be fired. State law also prohibits fireworks of any kind within 150 feet of a property, including streets, cars and buildings.

Borough council members discussed the idea of requiring permits and having public display shows. Krapf said it would be easier for police to respond to calls if people were together.

“We’re still going to have some elsewhere, but if we promote it then people can contribute to a town display,” she said.

The board plans to revisit the subject early next year so they can come up with ideas and have an updated ordinance in place before people start setting off fireworks in the summer.

Tax collectors mailing dispute

In an attempt to cut down on costs, the council reviewed their spending for the year and realized they’ve been paying for the tax collector’s post office box. After researching, they discovered that other municipalities require the tax collector to pay for it themselves.

Coaldale’s tax collector Cathy Papesh attended the meeting to address the issue. She said the borough has been paying for the tax collector’s post office box since 1986.

Vice President Claire Remington said she realizes that and also realizes that there are other town-related items that come through the mailbox, so she wouldn’t mind paying for a third of the mailbox. The total to rent the P.O. box for one year is $112.

“I want to look into it so we’re doing it the right way,” Krapf said on the matter. “I don’t want to look at other municipalities and do it that way because what if they are wrong?”

After Krapf’s comment, the board decided they wanted to reach out to ask the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs what the actual protocol is. Remington also said there is a booklet outlining tax collecting affairs, but due to its high volume of pages, that will act as a last resort in resolving the issue.

Other business

• Ringtown Valley Fire and Rescue company requested Coaldale’s fire police presence at their 66th annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Fireman’s Convention. The parade will be held on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.

The council voted to preapprove the presence of fire police on the stipulation that the fire chief recommends Coaldale to participate. If the borough decides to help Ringtown, fire police presence will be covered for workers’ compensation.

• There is currently one light working in the Veterans Memorial. Remington said the lamps were looked at and the sockets are said to be “shot,” meaning they cannot be replaced or pulled apart and fixed. The town is planning to hold a fundraiser to replace the lanterns at an estimated $150-$175 per light.

• Councilwoman Yvonne Stoffey checked in with the police department and Chief Keith Krapf said the morale in the office is good, but the officers appreciate hearing that they’re doing a good job. They said sometimes people come in and thank them, and the officers appreciate the words of acknowledgment.

He does not feel the department is in need of any more training at the time and also said the police vehicles are in good shape. The police officers are under budget, which Stoffey said is lower than they were last year at this point.

• The sewer project in front of the Coaldale Fire Company is in the works. Sixth and Fifth streets are receiving a new sewer line. High Street has been completed correctly and sustainably, with the entire block finished. Patch work is going to be done in Seek. Fifth Street is planned to be fixed and has been added to the list of maintenance projects.