Bradford City Council approved a proposal for a survey and engineering services related to the Bradford Downtown Historic District Streetscape Project during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
The proposal from E & M Engineers for survey, design, technical specifications and bidding documents was approved for $78,274. The city’s Community Development Block Grant allocation will cover the expense. This project will include improvements to Veterans’ Square, Mechanic Street, E. Corydon Street, Chambers Street and Chestnut Street.
Council also approved a resolution to authorize filing of an Assistance to Firefighters grant application with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant is intended for the purchase of three new ambulance stretchers and power loads for the city’s ambulances. The grant would split the cost of the city’s project so that FEMA would pay 95% and the city would be responsible for the remaining 5%.
In other business, council approved a resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application in the amount of $1,000,000 for the YWCA Bradford building construction project. According to the resolution, Pa. Governor Tom Wolf has authorized a $1,000,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant to the City of Bradford, earmarked for this project. However, the application must be completed and submitted in order to receive the grant.
Council also authorized an agreement between the City of Bradford Fire Department and Jay Bradish for Bradish to provide assistance in determining the origin and causes of fires in the City of Bradford.
Speaking at the meeting Tuesday, Bradford City Fire Chief Eric Taylor explained that the city’s fire department has had an in-house investigation team, which includes one of the city’s firefighters and a Bradford City police officer, for around five years. However, an issue arose recently when Sergeant Todd Erikson was injured while off-duty. This, in addition to the current budget situation for the Pennsylvania State Police, makes it difficult to get a fire marshal on-scene in a timely manner.
“Due to an uptick in suspicious fires in the area, we determined this is our best solution,” Taylor said, noting that Bradish is a well-known firefighter and respected investigator in the area.
Finally, the City of Bradford’s downtown surveillance system will receive an upgrade. Council approved a resolution for $103,580.88 to be paid to BizTech LLC for equipment and software to upgrade the system. Of that, an immediate payment of $50,886.50 will be made. The balance will be financed. However, the entire amount for the project will be paid for with donated funds.
In other business, council approved:
— The appointment of Kristofer Goll to the Civil Service Commission, to fill the seat vacated by longtime police officer Tom Hardy. City Administrator Chris Lucco noted that Hardy’s resignation was submitted as he felt, after years of service, it is time to concentrate on his health. Council expressed thanks for Hardy’s service.
— A Certificate of Appropriateness for Debra LaBrozzi, representing Northwest Savings Bank, owner of 33 Main Street, for installation of new signage for LaBrozzi Insurance Group, Inc.
— Payment to Dolly Gobin for rehabilitation of a front porch at 168 Congress Street, in the amount of $1,600.
