Coaldale Borough Council approved advertising its tentative budget for 2025.

The preliminary spending plan is balanced at approximately $1.72 million and shows no increase in taxes.

“We are not looking at any new taxes this year, so that’s important for Coaldale people,” council President Claire Remington said.

As council discussed the spending plan during Tuesday’s monthly meeting, words were exchanged between Councilwoman Angela Krapf and borough Secretary Beth Martinico.

The brief, but heated, conversation led to Martinico walking out of the meeting and Remington’s multiple calls for order after her departure.

“So what is going to cover the cost of everything else going up? Because I know that’s something we talked about,” Krapf asked after the motion to advertise passed.

“Did you look at the budget?” Martinico asked.

Krapf said that she did but that “everything does increase.”

She said that when she first joined council, members talked about how they had passed several budgets with no tax increases. But she said that council “kind of screwed” the borough by doing so — because eventually taxes had to be raised.

She suggested raising taxes by “just a little bit” to cushion any future increases.

Remington said that when preparing the tentative plan, some proposed expenditures were taken from accounts that hadn’t previously been used for that purpose.

“I appreciate your explanation. I’m just telling you that that is why I was asking,” Krapf said.

“We didn’t know we could do that before but now we do,” Remington said.

Remington added that she wanted everyone to “brace themselves” for the 2026 property tax reassessment in Schuylkill County.

At that point, Krapf spoke over Remington.

“Beth, I work in the evenings sometimes, so if you want to stop making comments and be professional, that would be great,” Krapf said to Martinico. “I was working while these budget meetings were happening.”

Remington struck her gavel in attempt to keep the meeting moving.

Martinico asked Krapf to “control herself.”

“No, darling, that’s not how this works,” Krapf said. “This is what I am going to say, I am still one of her supervisors and the disrespect she gives needs to stop.”

Martinico said, “Let’s try that, shall we?”

Remington again said “Stop” as Krapf continued talking.

“We’re done,” Martinico said as she gathered items from her desk and left the meeting.

“Why did you do that?” Remington asked Krapf.

“Because I am tired of her,” Krapf began to say.

“I’m asking you to please stop,” Remington said.

“No, because this needs to be said,” Krapf said.

“You’re supposed to be the better person,” Remington said.

Remington and Krapf then argued back and forth before Remington suggested talking after the meeting. Krapf continued to speak.

“Listen! You’re done. You’re done! Quiet!” Remington said, slamming her gavel. “You’re done! Quiet!”

“You don’t get to stop me from talking,” Krapf said.

“Yes, I do,” Remington said. “You’re out of order.”

The argument ensued until Councilman Wayne Figner suggested that the meeting move forward.

Martinico sat in the hallway until the meeting ended.