Scout wants to start library at Clifton borough hall
A Lansdowne teen, a member of Boy Scout Troop 111 of Clifton Heights, plans to establish a free-will library in the borough’s new administration building.
Councilman Harris Resnick, a troop leader, announced the intentions of the youth at the council meeting as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Arvin Sequeira, 17, joined the scouts when he was in fourth grade. Now a senior at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School, the youth has set his sights on attaining the Eagle rank by organizing books and adding to the collection.
“There is no library in Clifton Heights,” Sequeira said. “I plan on adding bookshelves that the borough has in stock and running a book drive to get as many books as we can.
“Currently there are 755 books and I am looking to triple that amount. I plan on organizing all the books and making them easily accessible.” Sequeira and officials invited residents to donate books during the electronic recycling event planned for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 28 in the borough’s parking lot on Springfield Road.
“People can drop off their electronics and books at the same time,” Sequeira said. “Books may also be dropped off at the borough hall during office hours.”
He has posted fliers about the book drive and invitation to donate gently used books to fulfill the project. Another book drive will be held in August.
According to Resnick, Sequeira will be organizing and restocking the bookshelves with the help of other Troop 1111 scouts.
In other business, a resolution to amend policies regulating rental properties was tabled after two council members asked for more time to read the 13page document.
“I’d like to read it first,” Resnick said.
Councilman Fred Rich concurred.
“It’s 13 pages long and it was just presented to me,” Rich said, motioning to table the vote.
Council did approve an ordinance regulating marijuana dispensary locations, limiting the facilities to industrial zoning districts with a special exception.
Mayor Joseph Lombardo Jr. announced the borough has been designated an Opportunity Zone by the state.
The Opportunity Zone is a federal program under the direction of the U.S. Treasury that spurs investment in distressed communities offering tax incentives for new projects.
“This is a great opportunity for Clifton Heights,” Lombardo said. “(State Sen.) Tom McGarrigle (R-26 of Springfield) and (State Rep.) Jamie Santora (R-163 of Upper Darby) nominated Clifton Heights to (Gov.) Tom Wolf who hand-picked the towns and boroughs best suited for the program.”
Lombardo announced the Pet Expo and Rescue Day, postponed from June 26 due to rain, will be 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Williams Lombardo Funeral Home, 33 W. Baltimore Ave., with discounted vaccinations for pets and fun for children with face painting, a moon bounce, games and food trucks.
“It should be a nice community day,” Lombardo said.
The mayor also announced the Kingdom Dominion Cathedral Bishop Derek Rimson planned a community day at the church, 100 S. Penn St., noon-6 p.m. Aug. 18.
Mardea Smalls, a Kingdom Dominion executive board member, asked for barriers placed on the street and to close off Penn Street from Washington Avenue to Broadway Avenue for the event.
The borough’s Planning Board will have a special meeting 7 p.m. July 30 to review several businesses including Arby’s fast food restaurant’s proposed renovations on Baltimore Avenue.