AJ News

Mary Krewson Abington Journal Correspondent

Council members learned at the Thursday, Nov. 19, meeting that this winter, Dalton Borough Police will be driving a new $38,000 SUV, thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Police Chief Chris Tolson said the vehicle will replace a 1999 vehicle now driven by the two full-time and one-part time officers and that the new SUV will be used for winter driving.

Borough council also learned it received a $12,000 state grant to assist in paying for cost overruns related to the borough’s sidewalk replacement project, which was recently completed.

During the course of the sidewalk project, Joe and Diane Hughes, owners of the Dalton Country Store, told council members the ramp at their store was replaced but that now the state lottery commission is indicating it is not in compliance with state law.

“They tore out a ramp that was in compliance and put in one that is not in compliance,” Joe Hughes said. “Nothing has changed but the sidewalks,” he added.

He also said they have a deadline of January 13, 2010 to contact the state lottery commission with estimates to correct the problem.

Council agreed it would contact the local engineering company that worked on the project, CECO Associates, and the state Department of Transportation to obtain more information about what needs to be done for the ramp to meet state compliance codes.

Council member Lorraine Daniels said the evening of Nov.27 is Dalton Borough’s Tree Trimming and Turning on the Lights ceremony. “Santa Claus comes to town that night,” she said.