Palmerton plans to choose carefully the language of an ordinance for its bandstand.

Councilman Cory Kepner said Thursday, “We’re still discussing how to word the ordinance to make it enforceable.”

No further discussion was held on the topic.

Joe Federanich, of the Palmerton Bandstand Committee, told council last month that damage continues to happen at an alarming rate to the bandstand in the borough park.

Borough Manager Donna McGarry said at that time that she reached out to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission because the bandstand is a historical structure. Unfortunately, she said they had no suggestions other than what the borough is doing.

Marj Federanich, who spoke on behalf of the Concourse Club of Palmerton, suggested putting a sign up stating no bicycles, skateboards, or loitering is allowed inside the bandstand so that there’s some type of presence of a warning.

She referred to an incident in which a juvenile was injured near the bandstand.

However, Councilman Andrew Hollywood said at that time he didn’t believe a sign would make a difference.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell previously said that vandalism in the park isn’t just relegated to the bandstand.

Mayor Don Herrmann said the police department has been proactive in its approach.

Marj Federanich said people have spent a lot of money and made many contributions to ensure the bandstand would remain a vital component of the park.

McGarry said at that time she hoped to have an ordinance for the bandstand in time for Thursday night’s council meeting.

In August, Kepner said there’s been some consideration to closing the bandstand to general access, with use only allowed by permission of council, and that council has considered looking at new camera systems.

Also at that time, council denied a request for bathrooms in the borough park.

In July, Kepner said a bicycle damaged the bandstand, and it’s believed the perpetrators who caused it are from outside the borough.

Borough police Chief Tim Kromer said that the borough’s ordinance does not allow bicycles, skateboards or scooters in the bandstand.

The newly remodeled bandstand had been damaged within days after the iconic structure was rededicated during a ceremony in the borough park in September.

The Donald and Mary Behler Foundation stepped in with all of the funding for the construction costs of the project.

Before that, Joe Federanich said it had been more than 30 years since any improvements had been made to the bandstand.