2013 started off dramatically for the Coopersburg Fire Company with a fire on Jan. 5. For the first time this year, the company responded under new leadership. 

In December, the fire company voted a new fire chief, Daniel Baer, into office. Baer takes over the position from Kevin Farnish. 

"I can't say I'm not disappointed," said Farnish. "I had plans for the company." Farnish also works with the Emmaus Fire Company. 

Coopersburg Borough is set to begin an audit of the fire company in 2013. Currently, the borough contributes approximately 30 percent of the fire company's budget. 

Farnish went in front of the Coopersbug Borough Council in April 2012 to try to require fire inspections and permits issued for commercial businesses using hazardous materials. 

Coopersburg and the fire company are separate entities, so oversight for the program needed to be discussed, said now-borough manager Tim Paashaus. “What isn't clear yet is who will oversee [the program] and how that entity would be accountable."

Coopersburg holds its regular monthly workshop at 7 tonight.