The Bowmanstown ballfield is set to receive a significant upgrade with the donation and installation of a new digital scoreboard in memory of the late Danny Koch.

Daniel Jay “Danny” Koch died on Feb. 5, 2022, at the age of 43.

He graduated in 1996 from Palmerton Area High School, where he was lovingly known by many as “The Mayor.”

He served the community as a volunteer firefighter with the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, starting at the age of 16.

His father, Bruce Koch, and Eric Yuknek, approached the borough council seeking permission to put up the electronic scoreboard.

In their request, Koch and Yuknek also asked the borough for assistance in digging the necessary trenches for the electrical wiring.

The Koch family is covering all costs associated with the project, including labor and materials. They have requested that the borough utilize its existing equipment to excavate the trenches. Council members unanimously approved the request.

Trail grant revisited

Council revisited a motion concerning a grant application to establish a walking trail and park on a vacant lot.

The original motion, approved on March 4, was rescinded and reissued due to a lack of clarity regarding matching funds.

Council President Pam Leiby explained that the initial motion needed to be rescinded after she received a letter raising concerns about potential matching funds required for the project.

Leiby said that the project “was not supposed to cost the borough a penny,” but the letter introduced uncertainty about the financial implications for the path’s creation.

Vice President Darren Thomas echoed this sentiment, stating that “there was never a match mentioned” before the paperwork was received.

Borough solicitor Lisa Pereira clarified that the motion needed to be rescinded to allow for a reissuance incorporating the newly received information.

Councilman Rob Moyer, who initially proposed the motion, moved to rescind it. Councilwoman Kara Scott then introduced a reissue motion with updated wording.

Resident Christine Bottcher informed council that the borough’s “land appraisal can be used one time” as a matching asset, and the land itself qualifies as an in-kind donation for the walking path initiative. The reissued motion passed, with Thomas casting the sole dissenting vote.

In other news, Moyer expressed his gratitude to the Krill foundation and Dr. Sportelli for their generous monetary donations for the playground, which will be used to purchase mulch.

Moyer is also preparing a draft of a request for proposals to determine whether creating a solar facility in Bowmanstown can help generate income for the borough.

According to Councilman Norman Engle Jr., the Bowmanstown Fire Department will be looking into a new grant to help purchase upgraded radios.