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Shade trees to be planted in Philipsburg Boro
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
By Tyler Kolesar Staff Writer
PHILIPSBURG - Philipsburg Borough plans on getting a bit more "shady," as steps were taken at last night's Philipsburg Borough Council meeting that will allow the borough to eventually receive grants for planting trees.
Shade Tree Commission members Darlene Lewis and Kevin Smith said there has been talk of installing trees, particularly on South Centre Street. Both said they would prefer to have the trees first put on North Centre Street, as they felt more work is needed there. Smith said planting trees isn't cheap, as it costs approximately $100 for a single tree and then another $100 for installation. For 2012, the borough budgeted $500 for new trees and has not used any money for new trees this year. Both also said the trees needed on North Centre Street would need to be planted in the spring. Council member Barb Gette asked if the borough could move over the $500 budgeted this year to 2013, as well as giving them the $500 normally budgeted, effectively doubling their spending dollars. Lewis said they would to receive tree grants, but various borough employees and other volunteers will need to take a seminar to become tree tenders.
Later in the meeting, Gette said she would rather see a separate account in next year's budget for the shade tree account, as well as budgeting more money. A motion was made and then unanimously accepted that will allow the borough to send two employees, a volunteer and a council member to go to a tree tender seminar, which will allow the borough to be eligible for future grants.
In other news:
• the traffic signal at the Locust and Front Street intersection is back in full operation. Previously the light had been flashing yellow when traveling on Front Street and red coming from Locust Street. Borough Manager Jan McDonald and the rest of council would like to remind the public of this change, as many people have been seen flying through the intersection without realizing the signal is red.
• a discussion was held on fixing borough vehicles at Dixon's Auto Body, which is owned by council member Dave Dixon. Questions were asked to Solicitor Patrick Fanelli about it being an "ethical situation". A borough truck was already previously fixed by Dixon, as an insurance adjuster calculated the cost. Fanelli said this would be okay as long as Dixon abstained from voting on that particular bill. At the end of the meeting, council voted to have another vehicle repaired by Dixon, with costs once again calculated by an insurance adjuster.
• council member Walt Chorle had numerous questions throughout the evening. Chorle said borough revenue is currently down six percent, and spending is up two percent. Chorle also asked what happened to the $15,000 that was budgeted for police, as it appeared it had been spent. President Fred Grauch said the money is located in another account, and has actually not been spent yet.
• a few citizens had concerns over the sidewalks being redone in South Park. Council member Sam Womer said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation removed the previous ramps, installed new ramps, and put curbing in. Womer and other council members said nothing can be done due to PennDOT doing the work.
• new Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation Director Dana Shoemaker introduced herself to council.
An executive session was held for a little over an hour to discuss various matters.
Committee meetings coming up are the Public Works meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m., the Zoning/Ordinances meeting on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m., and the Finance meeting on Sept. 27 at 10 a.m.
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