Borough reviews bids, residential concerns

October 8
Borough reviews bids, residential concerns

Nathan Urie Abington Journal Reporter

CLARKS SUMMIT- At last Wednesday’s borough council meeting, members heard from Pam Gorman of 215 Midway Avenue. She expressed concerns over the curb in front of her house. Gorman said the road is 17 inches above the sidewalk, which makes it nearly inaccessible.

“I’ve asked for some help with creating a step so it wouldn’t be so dangerous,” she said. “It’s left with the inability to get down to your house. I’m a commercial designer and I know for ADA purposes you cannot create a situation on public property that creates a danger to the public.” Solicitor Ernie Preate said that the curb was unusually high and the property line would have to be evaluated to see where the borough would be responsible. Gorman offered to pay for half of the expense.

Donna Zagrayan, Secretary of the Clarks Summit Shade Tree Commission, introduced Josh Arp. She wanted to publicly recognize Arp for his qualification as a certified arborist and master gardener. “What has been a passion of ours,” Arp said, “is to get a code enacted which will protect trees which are on the borough’s right of way.” He passed around photos of trees in the borough which he said will be a future hazard, when topped, or cut at the top, by utility workers. The council agreed to look into an ordinance to prevent trees from further disturbance.

Vice Chairman of the Abington Joint Recreation Board, Barb Grabfelder, read a letter describing what their funds had been used for which including maintenance of soccer and softball fields, community surveys, and a summer program for middle school children.

Manager Virginia Kehoe brought up bids for the Melrose sewer project. She asked that the council receive the bid from Stark Enterprises at $14, 800 pending on the engineer reviewing paperwork. Councilman Herman Johnson seconded the request and the council motioned to award the contract.

Warren Watkins asked the board to replace Fred Major as borough representative to Abington Senior Center with Robert Gilbert of Clarks Summit. He said Major has deteriorating health. The council accepted his request.

In other business, the council announced it is looking for a Junior Council Person. The applicant must be a resident of the borough and be a junior or senior in high school. The deadline for applying is October 15.

The council also approved Minimal Municipal Obligation for the Clarks Summit borough non-uniform pension plan at a rate of $18, 373 and Clarks Summit police pension plan at $39, 791.

The next Clarks Summit borough meeting will take place on November 5 at 7p.m. at the