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New Eagle Scout spruces up bridge in Laflin

Sam Chiarelli Dispatch Correspondent

Louis Daveski completed his Eagle Scout Project in Laflin Borough. His project involved cleaning and painting the Gardner Creek Bridge at Creekside Park in Laflin, and also painting some of the nearby playing-field bleachers.

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On the Gardner Bridge, from left: Laflin Mayor Dorothy Yazurlo, Eagle Scout Louis Daveski, and Councilman Raymond Pendolphi.

Photo by Sam Chiarelli

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Louis attended Laflin Borough Council meetings to approve his project and met with Councilman Raymond Pendolphi, and Borough Secretary Barbara Fairchild in March to finalize his plans. He recruited fellow scouts from his troop to help him prepare and execute his refurbishing of the Park, and assisted his fellow scouts in gaining valuable service hours toward their own endeavors.

Louis also raised more than $250 through items donated by local businesses and community collections to fund his project.

The metal frame of the Gardner Creek Bridge was greatly deteriorating because of rust before Louis decided to save the structure. Scraping, sanding, and painting were required to prevent further maintenance issues in the near future. The bleachers at the park required sanding and painting as well to repair sun and weather damage.

Careful planning was implemented throughout the project to make the most of such a great opportunity to help the community. Louis provided his volunteers with supplies as well as food and drink.

To make sure that no negative effects of the project effected the environment, Louis and his team hung tarps below the bridge to capture falling debris from the renovation. An extremely detailed outline of the project’s various aspects, time tables, necessary equipment, funds to be raised, and safety plans was then submitted to the Laflin Borough as well as the Eagle Scout Board of Review.

Louis has greatly improved Laflin’s Creekside Park both visually and functionally. His work has paved the way for more renovation by the Borough and an increase in traffic to the Park.