Mt. Jewett organization delivers funds for grant writing for pocket park
The MJHHC (Mount Jewett Hilltop Heritage Coalition) Board President Kelly Barr Hughes attended the Mount Jewett Borough Council Meeting recently and delivered $543.10 to be used towards the $750 grant writing fee for the pocket park (AKA amphitheater). The citizendonated money was raised by the Coalition during the 2022 Music on 6 at 6 with 6 events in total.
Moving on to Borough Manager Barbara Harp's report, she contacted E&M Engineering regarding developing designs so the Borough can apply for the grant to finish the sidewalks. She is waiting for a quote. She said the Borough has some time because the grant doesn't open up until May 21.
She and Council President Jason Hughes have spoken with Tracy Frampton from the EADS Group about applying for the grant for the Pocket Park. Frampton said he would do all the work and submit the grant for $750. The council agreed to have Frampton work on and submit the grant.
Harp is working with the owner on Anderson Street and Todd Fantaskey, the Borough's Sewage Enforcement Officer, regarding a sewage issue under the owner's home.
Taking on the role of Enforcement Officer, she also sent a letter to a homeowner on Gallup Avenue regarding repairing the street from where he dug it up last fall while repairing his sewer line. She gave the owner until May 15, 2023, to have it repaired. If he has not repaired it by then, the Borough will contract it and the bill will be sent to the homeowner.
She reported that the property at 14 Division Street still has not been released after the fire. The fire had spread to 12 Division Street. The owners of that house have been cleaning up
Geer pointed out that four pine trees across from the school have been taken down and thanked Harp for contacting the railroad.
Councilman Francis Auriemmo said the employees were working hard busting up ice. Geer, head of streets, commented back that he had told the employees that if they wanted to stay longer and use overtime to continue working.
Councilwoman Robin Blankenship added that the employees were seen doing "something" that they were asked to do that they normally were not asked to do. She said they never frowned or complained.
"Those people who think the maintenance crew will not go above and beyond what they are expected, they will," Blankenship said.
Moving on to Parks Committee, Auriemmo said "we" will set up a meeting sometime this month. He stated that there are people showing interest. After the meeting, Auriemmo said the Park Committee will be on March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Mount Jewett Memorial Library with an invite to the public.
Council then focused on extending the Sidewalk
Project. They discussed funds. Councilman Brett Morgan said the borough does not know what they will owe for the remainder of the Phase One Sidewalk Project. Council remains in discussion.
Council then moved on to new business. Hughes said the borough office space is shared with the Mount Jewett Sewer Regional Authority. The Authority's Secretary, Kelly Koontz, has an office with a door. Harp is in an open space and without privacy.
"Barb does not have that luxury. She is kind of out in the open,” Hughes said.
He proposed that Council members come up with some way to afford her privacy as needed. Privacy extends to private discussions with the borough's employees and private phone calls.
Councilman Chuck Paar was not in favor of building walls and adding a door and said the door (the second one in the entrance) should be locked.
"The biggest problem is the door doesn't stay closed that should be closed. It does not need to be open into office space," Paar said. He recommended putting a door into the rented office space that is being occupied by the Authority. He added that he is in favor of locking the main door and not allowing public access. "It is a safety concern for the employees. You are talking about putting up walls and spaces and defining them. Keep the door closed! That is how this space is set up!"
Morgan had his chance to rebuttal. He talked about private conversations regarding personnel, employees, public and private meetings, and public functions.
"Let's give everybody their private space," he said referring to designated council chambers and space for the Authority so business can be displaced as it needs to be.
Council agreed to look at options and costs to use the space efficiently. Paar stressed that Harp should be kept in an area with natural light.
Moving on, Hughes said the MJ2KB Trail Club has done an incredible feat in accomplishing Pennsylvania Trail of the Year and is a landmark opportunity for Mount Jewett. He also mentioned that the Kinzua Bridge State Park is the Park of the year in the state. Mount Jewett being the "gateway" to the Trail and Park, he suggested taking advantage of tourism and investment. He explained that he has been talking with organizations
"The future is bright here. I don't know how we do it. We should be ridiculously touting this achievement as a town."
Paar suggested contacting PSAB for promotion and also seeking marketing opportunities and investors.
Morgan said maybe the Borough could lay out money directly to marketing Mount Jewett and available properties.
Council continued talking about marketing ideas.
Kelly Barr Hughes, Board President of the MJHHC, announced money is earmarked for more benches within the Borough. The money is designated from the Wolfe Creek Race Management event to be held on Sunday of the Swedish Festival. The race event will be held at the MJ2KB TrailHead on Center Street instead of at the Kinzua Bridge State Park as they usually do.
She also announced that the third annual Spring Fling will be on May 20.