Local Woman Tells Clarion Borough Council She is Working to Start Park/Playground Fund

Chris Rossetti

Published August 8, 2018 4:13 am

Local Woman Tells Clarion Borough Council She is Working to Start Park/Playground Fund

CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — If a local woman’s efforts are successful, Clarion Borough could eventually be getting a park or a playground.

(Photo: Janice Horn is working towards creating a fund for playgrounds and/or parks in Clarion Borough)

Janice Horn addressed the Clarion Borough Council about her idea at Tuesday’s council meeting.

“I have lived in Clarion for over 50 years,” Horn said. “I raised my daughter here, and until recently I never realized the lack of parks and recreation for children. We lived in the area by the elementary school, and my daughter would play on the playground there. But last summer, when some relatives were visiting, they brought up that there is no place in town to have a picnic lunch.”

Horn said after this realization she decided to do something about it and decided that creating a fund to create “pocket” parks or a playground would be the way to go.

“I am developing a field of interest through Bridge Builders and the Clarion County Community Foundation Board,” Horn said. “It is in draft form right now, but I am going to take it to the Clarion County Community Foundation Board’s next meeting. If they approve of it, then I will take it to Bridge Builders. I hope to have something for you to act on at your September meeting.”

STEP FORWARD FOR STORM WATER AUTHORITY

The council took steps to move the process forward with the Storm Water Authority, which will be responsible for collecting a fee from property’s based on the amount of stormwater they generate.

Three agreements were approved including management agreement between the borough and the Clarion Storm Water Authority Board that would allow the Board to manage the borough-owned stormwater lines and the approval of a lease agreement between the borough and the Authority in which the lines would be leased to the authority.

According to councilman Jason Noto, the Storm Authority Board must now approve those agreements as well.

CENTER PLACE STORM WATER PROJECT UPDATE

The council approved a fee agreement with Marshall Law Office, LLC for the PennVEST Financing for the Center Place Storm Sewer project. Marshall Law, whose partner John Marshall is the borough’s solicitor, will be paid approximately $30,000.

In other news with the project, the council approved allowing the bidding for the project to take place. Bids will be open Sept. 25 and hopefully, a contract will be awarded at the Oct. 2 meeting with work to take place in the Spring of 2019.

“Let’s get this project started,” Noto said.

BIDS TO BE ACCEPTED FOR SEVENTH AVENUE/WOOD STREET STORMWATER REPAIR PROJECT

The council also approved procurement and award of services and materials to complete the Seventh Avenue and Wood Street Storm Water Repair Project. They hope to award the bids at a special council meeting being held Aug. 21 for the general purpose of this project.

MILES BROTHER ZONING CHANGE REQUEST GETS APPROVED WITH ONE NO VOTE

The zoning request change from R-1, Single-Family Residential District to C-I, Commercial Industrial District sought by the Miles Brothers and the topic of much debate earlier in the summer was approved with one no vote, Noto.

Noto said the fact that a lot of people expressed concern about the change prompted him to vote against it.

“I was hoping they might be able to reach an agreement, but I don’t think or at least I haven’t heard that they were able to,” Noto said. “Therefore, I voted no. If they had been able to reach an agreement (between the Miles and the nearby property owners) I would have probably voted in favor of it.”

NOTO SAYS SLOW DOWN AS SCHOOL APPROACHES

Noto wanted to advise the public to slow down around the borough as school gets ready to start both at Clarion University and Clarion and Clarion-Limestone School Districts.

“People need to slow down and watch crosswalks,” Noto said. “Please be careful. There is no place in Clarion you have to get to that fast.”

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business the council:

Approved the United Way of Clarion’s request for the annual 5K and 10K race held in conjunction with Autumn Leaf Festival to be held Sept. 29

Gave approval to Next Step Pregnancy Solutions & Services (corporate name AAA Life Services) for a 2-mile Walk-A-Thon Oct. 13.

Repealed the borough’s Sub-Division and Land Development (SALDO) and adopted Clarion County’s SALDO. According to borough treasurer Todd Colosimo, the current borough SALDO was out of date and since it isn’t used all that often, the county’s SALDO easily handles the borough’s needs. Colosimo said the borough still reserves the right to create its own SALDO at a later date if it so chooses.

Hired Emerson Hartle as a part-time meter enforcement officer for 29 hours per week at a rate of $9.25 an hour.

Granted permission to purchase two computers for the police cars at a total cost of $9,464. This doesn’t include installation costs.

Heard an update on the Library’s stormwater project. The project is currently in design phase.

Were informed by recreation chairperson Rachel Roberts that the pool season is going well and that the pool is looking to extend its season through Labor Day. She said if that happens, there will be an announcement.

Was informed that the Blueprint Committee received a $25,000 building grant.

Found out that the Blueprint Committee in conjunction with Clarion University and hopefully the radio station will be presenting a Labor Day Concert from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 featuring local talent and refreshments at the corner of Wood Street and Eighth Avenue.

Was told that paving in the borough will start next weeks, either Monday or Tuesday. Paving will start at 5 a.m., and the borough is informing residents and businesses in the affected area with flyers.