By Samantha Beal
Staff Writer
CLARION – A few Autumn Leaf Festival and community events were approved at the Clarion Borough Council meeting, held July 5 at 7 p.m. in the Clarion Free Library.
The council approved a special event request from the Clarion County Coalition for Suicide Prevention for its Walk to Raise Awareness.
“This is all on the sidewalk,” noted council secretary and treasurer Mark Hall. “So there is no police coverage for this.”
The event will be held Sept. 8.
Patriot Day Services held Sept. 11 were approved. Hosted by the Spec. Ross McGinnis VFW Post 2145, the services have taken place before. This year, they will be in the town park across from the courthouse.
The United Way of Clarion County asked permission to hold its annual 5K and 10K race on Sept. 24. This event marks the beginning of ALF. It takes place on Wood Street, and requires police protection at certain intersections.
An AAA Life Services 5K race also garnered council approval. This will be Oct. 8.
Other items:
— A sinking fund was created in keeping with Local Government Unit Debt Act protocol. This fund was put in place to pay for a borough police car and a front-end loader.
According to LGUDA, anytime the borough posses an outstanding debt greater than $125,000, a specific debt service reserve fund must be created to gradually repay this debt.
The borough has not encountered a debt larger than $125,000 under LGUDA before. However, recent loans were taken out to accommodate needs in the Storm Water Project. This increased significantly the borough’s debt amount.
Hall said, “Anytime you have to do construction, it’s expensive.”
— Hall sought and received permission to attend the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs’ Legal Update Seminar Aug. 3 and 4. The conference is in Harrisburg, Penn.
— The Storm Water Authority officially exists after proper paperwork was filed June 30.
— The two bids received for asphalt pavement restoration on the Second Avenue and Wood Street Storm Sewer Project were considered too high. The council rejected both, with the stipulation bids would be reopened. If no suitable price emerges, the borough will complete the needed work at the end of the season.
— Three eligible applicants await testing July 8 and 15 for possible placement in the borough police force.
— A sub-division request made by Ron and Shawn Corcetti was approved. The discussed property was split into two lots, one for residential use and one for commercial use. The council decided to prohibit left turns off Sheridan Road onto Route 322 regarding this subdivision.
— Tionesta Builders Supply was thanked formally for donating new lifeguard chairs for the Clarion Borough Pool.
“The pool’s been very active and it’s great it’s been open,” stated councilwoman Rachel Roberts.
— No official statement was made by the police department regarding borough incidents in June.
However, police received 122 complaints and dealt with eight traffic accidents. The department issued 437 meter and parking tickets, 65 citations and recorded 27 offenses. It received over $5,000 in fines last month.
Aug. 2 is the next borough council meeting. It will begin at 7 p.m. in the library.