SMETHPORT — Smethport Borough Council on Monday authorized the EADS Group to begin researching grants that could benefit borough and borough-related project.
Dan Beyer, an engineer and department manager for the EADS Group, gave council information about the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program that is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for funding public parks and recreation projects on land and water, greenways and trails and rivers conservation.
“This grant — with a May application deadline, has a $100 application fee and requires a 15 percent local match — is one of the better ones,” Beyer said.
While there is no fee to council for this research, the EADS Group would want to do the engineering study if the grants were approved.
Ryan Yingling, who chairs council’s parks committee, introduced Beyer saying he has talked with Beyer about two projects in Hamlin Lake Park. “The primary project is the walk bridge in Hamlin Lake Park, which is beginning to show wear, and the second one is to build a handicap accessible parking lot for the kayak launch that is located near the existing boat launch at Hamlin Lake,” Yingling said.
Funding for certain grants could also be used for the borough-related project — Smethport Rotary Club’s plans to constructing a splash park in Hamlin Lake Park.
Patty Witchen of the Smethport Rotary Club attended the meeting and mentioned the importance of securing grant funding as soon as possible.
In other business, Police Chief Pat Warnick reported that rebidding the department’s 2011 patrol car, this time through Municibid, an online auction website where municipal governmental agencies sell their surplus directly to the public, has resulted in the borough receiving a higher bid than was received through ordinary advertising methods. According to Warnick, the borough had placed a reserve bid of $3,100 on the purchase, but the highest bid through Municibid is $2,700, much higher than the previous highest quote of $1,851.
But, since the $2,700 is below the reserve quote, Municibid has not identified the name of the bidder.
If Warnick is successful in learning the name of that bidder, council is willing to accept the $2,700.
In another vote, council adopted a resolution extending by 50 years the life of the Borough of Smethport Authority, which operates the sewer and water plants.
Council also approved the reappointments for Hamlin Memorial Library. They are Tabatha Dart, president; Kelly Davis, vice-president; Jodi Holmberg, secretary; and Donna Morris, treasurer. New board members, Sue Platko and Shantel Pierotti, were also approved.
Councilman Jeff Tanner announced that the Shade Tree Commission has met all the requirements to renew the borough’s status as a Tree City USA.
Council met in a two-minute executive session to discuss a legal matter.
