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Mary Ellen Tiesi Bridge to be dedicated on July 19
Friday, June 08, 2012
By Terry Whetstone Staff Writer
IRVONA - Shortly after last month's Irvona Borough Council meeting Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill to rename the new Irvona Bridge for a native of the borough. Mary Ellen Tiesi was killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 and now the bridge will bear her name.
Last night, Irvona Mayor John "PJ" Patterson announced the bridge will be dedicated on July 19 at 11 a.m.
Patterson said he has been in contact with Matt Maciorkoski from state Rep. Camille "Bud" George's (D-74 of Houtzdale) office in Harrisburg. Maciorkoski told Patterson, via email, that July 19 looks good for all parties involved. He said Father Justin Pino, George, the transportation secretary, the Clearfield County Commissioners and the Tiesi Family have indicated they intend to be in attendance. He said the governor has shown a strong interest in wanting to be there as well.
Council is pleased with the announcement of the date, but a couple of the council members were disappointed they may not be there due to work commitments that day.
Council has had a lot of requests from people asking when the annual community-wide yard sale will be held.
Following discussion, Michelle Whetstone motioned to hold the event on July 7 and to place the annual advertisement in The Progress. Herman Smith, vice president of council, offered a second and the motion passed unanimously.
Also coming up in July, Patterson noted the flood levy will be inspected by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Each year, the levy is inspected, one year by DEP and the other year by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Dan Smith made a motion to have Patterson take the appropriate steps to get the levy ready for inspection but is not to exceed the amount of money budgeted for the flood protection. Council voted unanimously to approve the motion.
Patterson noted he would assist the emergency management director updating the protection plan before the inspection. There are only a few changes that need to be made.
Patterson said he would like to apply for two signs for the borough through the Pennsylvania Wilds Community Sign Grant Program. He said the borough applied for it two years ago and was rejected. The grant amount is for $3,000 and he would assist secretary/treasurer Joanne McGarvey in doing the paperwork.
Michael "Chip" Clarkson made the motion to apply for the grant; it passed unanimously.
Patterson has purchased several small signs for throughout the park. They include "no parking along fence," "no pets inside park," and "no motorized vehicles beyond this point."
He said they would be installed as soon as they are finished. He may also purchase signs indicating where the park line runs.
Kay Stiver, representing the Irvona Recreation Committee, said the park line runs even with the back of Dollar General, past that line is the property of Bob Mooney.
She asked that people please keep their children out of the Mooney yard, as the park would like to be a "good neighbor" to the Mooneys. If signs are placed there, orange fencing could be installed.
Stiver said there are approximately 145 children signed up to play ball games this year and they have some great sponsors.
She also noted the basketball court will be finished soon. The committee is waiting for the final paving to be done before installing the poles and hoops, which have just been purchased at a cost of $1,200 each.
Council will send a letter to the Irvona Fire Co. asking that the maintenance on the fire company kitchen be turned over to the borough.
Should the fire company agree to that, it would include the borough paying the insurance and electricity on the building and the fire company could use the building at any time.
Patterson also noted the fire company did a great job during the carnival and the car show and he thanks them for making sure everything was cleaned up afterward.
Council president Margaret McCoy read a letter from the Clearfield County Homeless Prevention Task Force asking for volunteers on Aug. 15 from midnight until 11:59 p.m. to help do a count of all homeless people within the county to try to prevent homelessness.
Council did note that to their knowledge, there are no homeless people within the borough.
In other business, council:
• renewed its application for the federal surplus equipment in Harrisburg.
• will look into turning off some streetlights. Patterson will contact Penelec and ask about the savings the borough would have turning some off.
• will contact the owner of a dilapidated mobile home behind Shawn's Corner Pub about removing the building. If it is not done, council will have the trailer removed and place a lien on the property.
• heard new tires have been purchased for the skid-steer at a cost of $1,100.
• discussed replacing a pipe along Emma Street, between Berwind and White Streets. Patterson noted there is not enough fall to the pipe and it is not draining properly and causing residents to get water in their yards.
• fired solicitor Patrick Fanelli last month and hired a new one from Andrews and Beard Law Firm. Patterson said he is doing a great job.
• approved the mitigation plan for Clearfield County EMA.
• will advertise for three auditors from within the borough. Those interested should send a letter of interest by July 5.
• voted not to join the solid waste authority after the authority would not make some changes to the agreement like council asked and since learning it could cost the borough $1,700 to be a part of the authority, each year.
• is waiting for Stan Kimberly to subdivide parts so council can finalize the deal of acquiring the additional property. Patterson said Kimberly was to have met with him three weeks ago and he's still waiting.
• approved the transfer of $5,000 from the general account to the flood protection account and $25,000 to the reserve account.
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