KULPMONT - Resident Joe Cesari updated borough council Tuesday night on efforts to build a playground at Terry-Miriello Stadium, a project two years in the making.
"All of the playground equipment has been delivered and is currently being stored. We hope to have the playground finished just before or at the start of the Little League season," Cesari told council members.
Through grants and funds raised from the Kulpmont Car Cruise and concerts by the Mahoney Brothers at Mount Carmel Area High School, the playground will be built for a relatively small cost to the borough. Much of the installation will be done by borough workers, part of an in-kind match for grant money, and volunteer work, such as from the local carpenters' union, council member Nicholas Bozza said at Tuesday's meeting.
Pedestrian devices
Council member Stephanie Niglio said PennDOT approved the borough's use of the pedestrian channeling devices - warning signs for vehicles approaching crosswalk and pedestrian traffic - but there was some discussion of when the signs will be used.
"The signs need to be off the streets before dark, so we need to designate someone to put them out and take them off at specific times," Niglio said.
Most of the council members agreed street department workers should remove the signs between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Niglio, however, said she wants the signs up longer. Council President Bruno Varano said the issue would be dicussed at future meetings.
Moment of silence
A moment of silence was held at the start of the meeting for former borough worker John Consevage, and also in memory of James and Patricia Rosini, William Rosini and Deborah Korbich, who were killed in a car accident in Florida Feb. 8.
In other business:
- Varano presented resolutions to the Mount Carmel Area Red Tornadoes football team, its band and cheerleaders and player Cody Shustack for their accomplishments during the 2011 football season, including earning a bid in the state quarterfinals and for Shustack being named to the All-State team.
- During his report, Mayor Myron Turlis asked council to hire Joshua Pasutka as a part-time police officer and to purchase the ammunition for firearms certification for the police department. Both measures were adopted by a 6-0 vote.
- Council also approved a non-lethal force policy by unanimous vote, allowing the police to use a new Taser weapon acquired by the department.
- The 2012 street sweeper schedule was announced; it will run from March 28 to Sept. 28. The north and south sides of Pine and Scott Street running east and west will be swept on the last Thursday of the month, starting March 29, while the north side of Chestnut Street and the north and south sides of Spruce and Poplar streets running east and west will be swept on the last Friday of the month. All vehicles must be removed from streets on all scheduled days, and those not removed will be subject to a fine.
- Borough students can apply for the Robert C. Edwards Scholarship, sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a high school graduating resident of the borough who has been accepted for admission to an accredited college, university or school that offers a two or four-year degree/certificate program. Applications can be picked up at the borough office.
- Turlis reminded residents about the borough's snow ordinance, which states that 24 hours after any measurable snowfall, a 24-inch wide path must be shoveled on all sidewalks. If there is a forecast for 6 inches of snow or more, all vehicles on Chestnut Street must be moved so borough workers can plow the highway.