Parryville Mayor Tom Kobal, reported that the “basketball court is a mess” and encouraged the borough council to look into solutions. He also warned residents about “two shady characters” operating what appears to be a drug business in the cemetery. He said that the “apartment residents are afraid to sit on the porch.”

Council Vice President Jason Smith encouraged him to reach out to the Pennsylvania State Police when activity is happening and request more frequent patrols.

Both Kobal and Smith encouraged more cameras be placed in problem areas.

The borough received a state grant to continue improvements on lower Main Street. Smith reported that the state was “impressed by their initial work on the dirt road grant” and gave “more money to continue the project.”

The borough also received nearly $50,000 in COVID relief funds. The council will brainstorm ideas for how to use the funds in the three-year period allotted for the funding.

Discussions about the electronics recycling event are continuing, and “the biggest issue,” according to Smith, “will be who pays for cost items given our increase in trash bills.”

The Planning Commission is seeking two people to serve.

The council discussed the difficulty in getting FedEx to recognize Parryville addresses, which default to Palmerton in their system. While Amazon will deliver packages to houses without incident, other deliveries get lost because computer systems won’t recognize the Parryville ZIP code and distinguish it from Palmerton.

Councilwoman Monica Kunkle said that “we need to fix this issue before there is no more Parryville.” Smith will reach out and find out how to begin addressing the problem.

The council discussed the Second Amendment sanctuary request made at the March meeting. While borough solicitor Robert Frycklund said the measure “is symbolic,” Councilman Dustin Wentz said that “it tells the citizens we stand with them on this issue.”

Frycklund will reach out to Lansford’s solicitor to get wording necessary to pass a resolution at the May meeting.

Smith praised the fire and safety committee for their well-attended food truck and auction event held over the weekend. All meat raffle tickets from Thompson’s Meat market were sold and winners were notified after the drawing.

The fire department will host a breakfast on May 2 from 8-11 a.m. and a Paint-N-Sip on May 15 at the Borough Hall.

From May 20-23, Crusaders with a Cause will operate a Funnel Cake stand at Palmerton Park, and on May 29, the fire department is hosting a community yard sale at Palmerton park. There are 70 vendors and food will be for sale.

All events are subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions.