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Connellsville board OKs plaques for light posts

By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – An initiative that would etch the names of loved ones, civic groups or individuals onto decorative light posts for a contribution garnered full council approval Wednesday, but a subsequent proposal as to how the donations would be spent, initiated a heated discussion among several officials. The initial resolution proposed by Mayor Judy Reed – Adopt a Lamppost Program – will place plaques onto the bases of the recently installed lights along Crawford Avenue at a cost of $1,000.

The money raised through the program, according to Reed’s second resolution, would be used to raze two properties destroyed by arson, with any remaining monies earmarked for matching funds for future federal or state grants.

Councilman Charles Matthews said he would not support the use restriction of the funding.

“What if another property goes down the same (arson) route; you are going to tear down these two properties and say the heck with this third one,” said Matthews. “You tied this second resolution into the first one so you can pick and choose how it is used.”

Matthews said that in addition to the Sycamore Street residence and South Pittsburgh business destroyed by fire, several other buildings should be demolished because of their condition.

He proposed shifting funding set aside from the 2004 sale of the West Washington Avenue property for revitalization to a demolition account that would enable the health department to initiate the razing of the properties.

Matthews indicated that it would cost upwards of $25,000 to demolish the shuttered Comfort Corner Shoe Store, located along South Pittsburgh Street, which was destroyed during a Feb. 2 blaze. Fairview Avenue vehicular and pedestrian traffic has been restricted because of the condition of the uninsured building. No one has been charged in the incident.

Last month, residents living near the burnt 1107 Sycamore St. home requested the city take action to remove the structure. The homeowner, Harvey Upton, has been charged by police for setting the October fire.

Reed said she would make the matter a priority and suggested raising the funds to remove the home.

Council opted to table the second resolution.

Turning to other matters, council:

– Approved the blocking of Banning Avenue from North 11th Street to an alley for the July 24 West Side Hill Italian Bash.

– Authorized the closure of certain streets for the 14th Annual Bicycle Poker Ride sponsored by the Connellsville Police Association on Aug. 14.

– Approved the closing of Carnegie Avenue, from East Crawford Avenue to East Orchard Alley from July 15 to Aug. 15, when needed, for repairs to the Connellsville Elks Lodge.

– Directed city clerk David Pinkosky to solicit bids for the exclusive franchise of garbage collection.

– Renewed the contract for dog control with Hoffman Boarding Kennels.

for an additional two years at a cost of $305 per month.

Donated $300 to the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce for the annual fireworks display sponsored by the organization.

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