Ridgway an official member of Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program
RIDGWAY--After receiving the recognition letter this past month, Ridgway is now an official member of the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA program.
The Shade Tree Commission and Borough Manager, Michael Handley will be working together to bring more trees to Ridgway in the coming years, in fulfillment of past Mayor Udarbe's dream of trees all over the community.
Handley, provided an update on the Ridgway Mills Campground. Twenty sites are now available to rent and listed on the borough website. Handley cannot get an engineering quote to install water, sewer, and electricity for up to 25 campsites at the Ridgway Mills property. The quote is thought to be greater than the $21,000 bidding threshold and would require a Request for Proposal to be created. The campground design and layout must be set up before moving forward. Further campsite development shall be put on hold until the Flood Mitigation Study is completed.
The borough is seeking funding to support a Flood Mitigation Study. The DCED Flood Mitigation Program grant application has been submitted. The borough council requested the grant consultant begin looking for park and recreation funding opportunities to assist with municipal park improvements. There may be campground development funding.
The council received two project bids for professional consulting work to be performed involving the Clarion-Little Toby Trail Extension Feasibility Study. The recommendation from the steering committee was to enter into a contract for professional services with Mackin Engineers and Consultants for a total amount not to exceed $42,000. This was the lowest bid, and the money has already been raised through a combination of fundraising and private donations to extend the trail from Ridgway to Johnsonburg.
Chief of Police Shawn Geci explained the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Grant application to the Borough Council, which approved a $1 per $1 match, up to $2,100, towards the body cameras that will be required to be worn by all Police Officers during their shifts. The Police Chief and the Borough Coun
cil will also establish a body-camera policy with rules and procedures.
After two years of being canceled due to COVID-19, the Ridgway Summer Parks Program, through a partnership with the Ridgway School District, is returning this year. Well over 100 children are already registered to participate in the summer parks program. Additionally, a drinking water source has been installed at the O.B. Grant Park, along with a hand washing station through borough council’s approval last month.
The Ridgway Community Pool is open, and the YMCA is doing a great job managing the day-to-day operations, according to Handley. It was requested that the borough purchase an additional six to ten poolside lounge chairs to replace some of the older ones. The cost is about $200 per chair. The discussion was tabled by the council and will be discussed again when grant funds are received in July.
The Streetlights, Parking, and Traffic Committee recommend that the borough continue forward with the funding opportunity from the Green-Light-Go Grant that requires a 20% municipal match. If the grant funding is awarded, the match would be $8,000. The funding will be used to add a non-intrusive vehicle detection system and a protected/permissive eastbound left turn signal from Main Street to North Broad Street to alleviate traffic at one of the busiest intersections in the borough. The council unanimously approved the request.
The Borough of Ridgway will support the efforts of the Elk County Commissioners in requesting that the PennDOT Bridge crossing Elk Creek on North Broad Street be dedicated to the Fallen Elk County Vietnam Veterans. A plaque would also be attached to the bridge in their honor.
Ridgway Borough was awarded $212,025 for purchasing a dedicated leaf collection machine. Due to rising costs, this machine is now close to $250,000. This is about a $15,000 increase since writing the grant. The council approved the acceptance of the grant, which obligates them to spend the money on the contracted machine, and will pay for the remaining costs out of the trucked waste fund.
The Ridgway Public Library Board recommended appointing Jessica Pontious to finish the remainder of the term until March of 2023. She is a Borough resident and will be fulfilling the term of a member who had to step away from the board. The council approved.
The Ridgway Middle-High School was approved by the Council for the Annual Homecoming Snake Walk parade and Bonfire on October 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. along Main and Water Street to Broad Street and the Firemen's lot.
Ridgway Mayor, Ray Imhof sent a letter to the council apologizing for his absence, as his duties required him to oversee functions at the Carnival. For his report, he commended the Borough Crew, Ridgway Police, Fire Department, and EMA on a job well done during the severe weather event last Thursday. All agencies worked exceptionally well together to ensure the safety of the residents of Ridgway Borough.
The next meeting of the Ridgway Borough Council will take place on July 18, beginning at 6 p.m. at the West End Fire Hall. The public is invited to attend.