Montrose moves forward on street repairs

BY REGGE EPISALE
Correspondent

Montrose Borough Council discussed and approved multiple projects throughout the Borough at the April 4 meeting.

Streets Dept. Supervisor Ken DiPhillips received approval to replenish cinder supplies and get estimates for a Rammer Tamping Machine. DiPhillips will also be coordinating with PennDOT to repair the catch basin on South Main Street that is broken, clean the ditches on Chenango Street which are causing water to overflow into the street, coordinate with PennDOT on repaving Cherry Street, and get estimates to repair a large broken drain pipe on Prospect Street. Sidewalk repairs on South Main Street will also move forward.

The Municipal Authority will be replacing sewer pipes on Griffith Street. The Council has approved $20,000 of Act 13 funds, monies collected from gas companies as impact fees, to be used to assist in paving and patching Griffith Street once pipes are repaired.

Dan Zaleski of Lathrop Street submitted a compliance plan to separate his industrial zoned property from the residential property behind his garage.
The plan was received and reviewed by Zoning Officer John Watts, who advised the Council that the plan met the remediation requirements. The plan was accepted.

Councilman Craig Reimel provided an update on plans to level the basketball court and install more equipment in the Memorial Park through a cooperative effort of the Street Department and the Montrose Area Lions Club.

Property owner Dorothy Thomas was reimbursed for curbs she had installed to divert street water that was undermining borough sidewalks in front of her property.

Council further determined that a policy needs to be put in place for curbs that are needed and installed on borough streets.

Attorney Jason Beardsley submitted a petition on behalf of businesses on Grow Avenue to have Harrington Street – a street which exists on paper but is not used or maintained by the borough – vacated.

This is particularly of interest to the owner of NAPA Auto Parts who has had construction of a new building held up until the street is officially vacated.

Council agreed to accept the petition and advertise the intent to vacate the road. A hearing on the matter will be held at its April 18 meeting.

The borough will advertise for bids on Memorial Park grass cutting services for the season; and also advertise the intent to plant trees along South Main Street.

Dorothy Thomas was sworn in as chair of the borough vacancy board.

The first matter of business for the board will be to find a replacement to fill a Ward 2 council seat left vacant with the resignation of Tony Pickett.
Pickett’s resignation was accepted, with regret, at the meeting.

Council also accepted, with regret, the resignation of Montrose Police Patrolman Levi Tiffany, and Luther Giordano from the Zoning Hearing Board.

A letter was received from Mara Baldwin requesting to use the park May 1 for a school project aimed to raise Lupus Awareness.

Although Council cannot and did not agree to dedicate the park solely to that activity, a motion was made and carried to allow Baldwin to use the park for the activity. The program is to include using the walking track to raise funds for charity and multiple family activities.

Mayor John Wilson and Police Chief Dale Smith will attend an information session on drug abuse at Montrose High School on April 13 at 6 p.m.

Councilwoman Judy Kelly will attend a Hazard Mitigation Meeting on April 28.

Reimel will review and complete the Census Survey as required for the borough.

Following an executive session, council voted to advertise for more police officers.