Logging may help finance park upgrade
HILLER – Brownsville-Luzerne Park Board members are hoping that a logging contract will bring the financial boost they need to proceed with improvements. They now have to wait on elected officials in their two communities to approve the contract.
The park board recently received two bids for logging at the park in this second round of bidding.
Park officials accepted bids for logging earlier this summer, but could not award the contract because the highest bidder could not agree to the terms of the deal.
Of the two bids received this time, JT Logging, no address given, bid $65,000, while Stump Creek Lumber of Punxsutawney bid $91,500.
JT Logging was the high bidder in the first round, at $80,000.
Park board president Frank Ricco said it is now up to Brownsville Borough and Luzerne Township officials to vote on which logging company will be awarded the contract.
“We’ll be able to take action at the next meeting if the borough and township work out an agreement,” said Ricco.
“Things will be looking up at the park if we can get our grants approved and log the timber.”
According to Ricco, the park board’s plan is to fix the park’s roads, refurbish the restrooms and then build an amphitheater.
“People do look for clean restrooms when they need to rent the park,” said Jack Lawver, president of Brownsville Borough Council.
“If we can get the restrooms fixed, this will be a bona fide park,” added Ricco.
Park officials also announced that the park will be closed to the public during the winter months, beginning Nov. 1.