April has been named “Sherman Auxiliary Month” in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Frances Sherman Auxiliary, Bradford Mayor James McDonald announced during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
McDonald read a proclamation praising the auxiliary for its hard work in the community, highlighting the efforts of the group to see to the needs of local veterans, from those in the area’s nursing homes to ensuring no homeless veteran goes without a place to stay and also mentioned the success of the Hometown Heroes Banner project.
McDonald noted that he, along with Senator Cris Dush and Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, attended a celebration April 1 to recognize the auxiliary’s 100th anniversary. McDonald stated he issued the proclamation as a “token of my appreciation and congratulations” to the auxiliary.
Two city residents spoke during Tuesday’s meeting. Cody Lunn shared progress on his efforts to bring a community garden back to Bradford. He explained he has been discussing the idea with various residents, who shared his excitement for the idea, and he has received soil and seeds from some vendors he approached. He has some locations in mind; however, the current issue is funding to make the idea a reality.
Office of Economic and Community Development Director Shane Oschman noted he and Lunn have been exchanging emails on the topic and Oschman is gathering information he plans to share with Lunn at a future time.
McDonald suggested Lunn gather a committee to work on the project, rather than continuing to take on the entirety of the project solo and also brought up the possibility of a gofundme to help with financing the project.
Lunn stated he had considered that, as well as creating a Kickstarter project.
Donald Hay, another Bradford resident, raised concerns about the difficulty of transporting yard waste to the Public Works Department’s property on Holley Avenue, noting he does not have a pickup truck and there is a waiting period of up to two weeks to rent one.
McDonald stated he and City Administrator Chris Lucco have been considering ideas to help area residents deal with yard waste and other items, such as old TVs, that are difficult to dispose of.
Hay expressed concerns about the wisdom of transporting yard waste to the landfill and the use of bags to collect this type of waste. Public Works Director Chip Comilla pointed out that the city does not take yard waste to the landfill. Instead, it is composted, with plans to create windrows on property the city recently acquired and work on expanding the current efforts to include wood chipping, etc., to resell to interested buyers.
Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 3078, which contained the salary/wage changes and positions for calendar year 2021 for city police officers and also the first reading of ordinance 2866, which amends the Historic District ordinance.
In other business, council approved a resolution to authorize the mayor to execute the signature page for a grant application for a Community Conservation Partnerships Program Development Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the Callahan Park Recreation Improvements (Phase II).
McDonald asked if there are plans to plant trees to replace those being removed while Callahan Park is being rehabbed. Comilla pointed out that the trees currently in the park are past their life expectancy and nine have been removed already because they were potential hazards.
Oschman stated that the process is underway to retain funding for the effort and, following that, the hope is to hire an engineer with a landscaping background that would be able to create a plan for the park that will be as “aesthetically pleasing as possible.”
Council also approved resolutions for:
— a Certificate of Appropriateness for SRE GR Bradford, LLC, owner of 109 Main Street, for installation of a new storefront sign, with the wording “Curaleaf” and a banner style sign on the side of the building, with white lettering and a teal background
— a Certificate of Appropriateness for Minesh Melita, representing Millstone Investment, LLC., owner of 153 Main Street, for signage that will read “OYO HOTEL” and will be on a red background with white laminate lettering. The resolution also noted that HARB recommended the pink portion of the front and side of the building be painted the approved red.
— a lease agreement with Heather Jobe, doing business as Starlit Dance Connection, at the Robert P. Habgood Jr. Business Development Center
— a proposal from Graham’s Greenhouse & Landscaping to complete improvements and upgrades to the streetscape planting areas at the Elm Street Route 219 off-ramp, Boylston Street parking lot, the Habgood Center, Pine Street, Old City Hall and the Police Station.
