New Milford continues sidewalk talk

With an engineering cost estimate in hand, New Milford Borough Council discussed how to proceed with a proposed sidewalk and curbing project on Main Street at the Thursday, Oct. 5 meeting.
The cost of engineering for both sidewalks and curbs would be about $67,500.
Initially, the project’s focus was on sidewalks, but when council discussed benefits of curbing, such as drainage and erosion, it was added to the proposal.
At Thursday’s meeting council members seemingly reconsidered that direction. Several members voiced concern that PennDOT requirements that would come with curbing could potentially delay the sidewalk project.
One obstacle would be, according to Councilwoman Teri Gulick, both residences and businesses would be required to produce or obtain a driveway permit.
“Everyone wants curbs until it affects them,” said Council President Rick Ainey.
Councilwoman Donna Cosmello, who also chairs the council’s economic development committee, will check with Milnes Engineering to get a cost proposal for only the sidewalk project.
Members expressed that, if the cost was not significantly less, the board may engineer the entire project, but proceed with the sidewalk project before tackling curbing.
Although summer is over, the Recreation Board is looking toward next year by compiling a list of repairs that need to be done before the pool can be opened for the 2018 season.
Councilman Ken Carey, also a member of the Rec Board, reported that long-range planning for the parks and pool will be starting soon.
Gulick told council that Great Bend Borough Police Chief Jon Record mentioned that there had been incidents where having a camera in the police vehicle would have been beneficial.
New Milford Borough contracts with Great Bend Borough for police coverage.
Gulick said the in-car cameras cost about $1,000 each, and the Great Bend Borough department has two cars.
Council voted to help with the purchase of police car cameras, and approved a gift donation of $1,000 to the Great Bend Police for that use.
Columbia Hose Co. will hold its annual Parade of Lights on Saturday, Oct. 28, 6:30 p.m.
In celebration of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s bicentennial, council approved a $200 donation to the church.