Point Marion council discusses matters related to park
POINT MARION – Point Marion Borough Council on Wednesday discussed matters related to the riverside park, including the state demanding the borough reimburse it for unauthorized spending of grant money for the park.
The state Department of Economic and Community Development wants the borough to repay more than $17,000 for items that were not approved from a grant to improve the park. The borough bought equipment to maintain the park’s landscape.
Borough solicitor Gene Grimm will contact the state to negotiate a solution.
In another matter related to the park, Councilwoman Victoria Evans suggested the possibility of corporate sponsorship of the park. She said First Energy Corp., which has two power plants near the borough, may be a good place to start.
Evans also suggested that at least one bathroom at the park remain open on a more regular basis because park-goers have had to find other places to relieve themselves. Mayor Carl Ables, who has done significant work restoring the bathrooms, among other features at the park, was receptive to the idea.
In other business, council discussed planning for the 33rd Annual Albert Gallatin Regatta.
Ables said quite a few vendors are looking forward to the regatta, which will be held May 26-27. The festival features entertainment, refreshments and crafts at the riverside park.
Jenna Gatto of the River Town Outreach Corps said more than 20 organizations and at least 40 other people have signed up to be in the parade.
Council approved a resolution allowing fireworks to be set off at the borough’s sewage treatment plant.
In other matters, council discussed the possibility of hiring another part-time police officer. Ables said he would get council members more information about the applicant’s qualifications before any hiring decision is made.
Council also discussed the possibility of making Broadway Street a one-way street to improve traffic flow. Borough manager Art Strimel said there have been problems with large trucks traveling on Broadway and tearing up the sidewalks.
Also related to streets, Strimel said many streets have been patched in recent days, including Boulevard, Walnut, Keiser and Stella streets.
In other business, council approved a resolution that will increase the check-cashing charges from $20 to $30 for checks made on accounts with insufficient funds. Strimel said the bank has increased its fees to process bad checks, so the borough must do the same.
The borough also has been approached to partner with Goodwill Industries and Fayette County to apply for a state Department of Environmental Protection grant to improve Goodwill’s recycling center in North Union Township and purchase a roll-off truck that will be used to haul recyclables. Before making a decision, council will seek more information about the project.
Councilman James Hackett said the community art project — a glass and ceramic mosaic mural — is coming along nicely. He said the mural will weigh more than a 1,000 pounds when it is completed this summer. Council said plans must be made to place the mural high on the wall of the Sadler Building so that it can’t be damaged.