Coopersburg Council OKs $1,000 for Tree Lighting Ceremony

Coopersburg Borough Council on Tuesday approved a $1,000 contribution to the borough Christmas tree lighting ceremony and voted to keep Barry Isett & Associates as zoning officer.

Heather Lloyd, owner of , asked council to contribute to the tree lighting fund. Lloyd started the event in 2007, promoting it as a community event. Proceeds this year will go to the , Ambulance Corps and .

The event will feature horse carriage rides from Critter Corral, an ice sculpture and bagpipe players. Lloyd estimates the ceremony's cost at about $1,000 not counting the cost to light the Christmas tree, which ranges from $500-$700 for the month. “Expenses have been a hardship,”  Lloyd said.

Council approved a $1,000 contribution. “It's something I think we should support,” Councilman Larry Pummer said.

The event is set for Dec. 3 from 6-8pm. The fire company will provide food, and face painting will be done by the ambulance corps.

Meanwhile, Council voted to retain Barry Isett & Associates as the borough's zoning officer. Pummer reported that a comparison of two applicants -- Isett and Keystone Code Consulting & Enforcement -- showed little difference in price. “It's something we can still work with,” Mayor Tim Paashaus said of filling the position.

A recommendation from the Land and Subdivision Committee noted that in the past, changing zoning officers led to a dropoff in services during the transition. “We're looking for continuity,” Pummer said.

In other business, Councilman Jack Felch noted that preliminary work on the 2012 budget appear shows a balance without requiring a tax increase.