Coaldale council hires full-time officer

Coaldale council addressed several police matters on Tuesday night.

Yvonne Stoffley, councilwoman and member of the police committee, said that the committee met in February to check in with the police chief and discuss officer rates.

Stoffley brought notes from the meeting and requested the hourly rate for police officers be raised to $19 an hour. Coaldale council President Angela Krapf said Coaldale used to be one of the higher paying townships when it came to its police force but over the years dropped to one of the lowest paying in the surrounding areas. Krapf is the wife of Coaldale police Chief Keith Krapf.

A request was also put in by the committee to hire Matthew Jungbaer full-time. He is a lifetime borough resident who spent 13 months at the Coaldale Police Department. He was noted for his work ethic and being an asset to the department.

Remington motioned to raise the hourly rate and hire Jungbaer as a full-time officer. Councilwoman Ann Girard seconded the motion and both motions were carried through.

Herb Whildin, Mayor of Coaldale, commended the board for their decision to hire Jungbaer.

Free Shop Coaldale

Directly following a 10-minute executive session Tuesday night, the Coaldale borough conducted its monthly meeting that was open to the public.

The first to comment was Kathy Montesrin, representing Free Shop Coaldale, who requested access to the complex to conduct a bake sale and basket raffle.

The organization’s goal as a free thrift store is to keep usable items out of the garbage in Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

Rochelle Venable, executive director to the organization, said that Free Shop Coaldale has achieved nonprofit status.

“It’s an admirable thing you’re doing,” Coaldale council Vice President Claire Remington said. “The little bit that I am on Facebook, I see everything that’s going on, so good job.”

Venable gave credit to her volunteers and board of directors, which includes Montesrin.

Krapf granted Free Shop Coaldale permission to hold their event at the town complex on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with permission to arrive early to set up.

Other business

• Fire escrow ordinance must be updated as per solicitor. The ordinance had not been touched since it was first adopted in 1993. The board passed the motion to allow the town solicitor to update it.

• Sanitation bill decision postponed until next meeting as board members wanted more time to take a closer look at it. The contract does not expire until June so they agreed to table the issue.

• Approved handicapped spot at last months meeting is in the process of getting done. The board still needs to contact the water authority before drilling the necessary holes for the spot.

• Repairs on Kline’s Hill are to be done. Estimates from Peter J. Radocha & Sons for Project 1 are pipes that need to be dug out and cleaned up on the south side of the street similar to construction on Avenue A. Project 2 estimates are to be funded by COSTARS and includes replacements on the northside of Kline’s Hill of pipe and stone. The grant is still being processed and has not yet been accepted. If the grant is not applied, Remington’s plan would be to cover and pave both sides. Both projects were approved.

• Girard asked the board on behalf of residents that have approached her if they could make a donation to Lansford Pool as it’s planning to reopen. Council expressed interest in wanting to donate, however, noted that it would be illegal to use taxpayer’s money for unrelated business. Priority was given to Coaldale-specific issues such as roadwork. Board members agreed that the solicitor must be contacted before making any definite decision on whether there would be enough generated funds, outside of taxpayer dollars, to donate.