Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Stormwater runoff and flooding issues in the borough have been the major topic of discussion at Hollidaysburg Borough Council meetings for months. Major action was taken at the March meeting when the council approved the purchase of 7.85 acres that is part of the former Stowell Farm to construct a stormwater basin.
An appraisal was performed and the owner of the property is agreeable to the purchase of the property plus access and drainage easement to Bedford Street for the amount of the appraisal, which is $110,760. The agreement will be contingent upon the borough receiving grant funding, and this agreement is also required by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in order for the borough to qualify for the grant. The grant from the DCED is a $1 million-plus grant.
During the public comment period, much of the discussion focused on flooding issues. Steve Albright said he talked for three hours with Stiffler McGraw Engineers about flooding in Gaysport. He thanked the borough for pursuing the flooding issue.
Regis Nale went on to say, “The borough has taken a positive stance on stormwater regulation.”
At the beginning of the meeting, Council President Joe Pompa said the stormwater management ordinance would not be considered at the meeting upon the recommendation of the Blair County Planning Commission.
The council approved an ordinance approving the execution of the COMCAST Cable Franchise agreement. Since passing this agreement, COMCAST can now provide cable service to Hollidaysburg residents. Last year the council approved a proposal from Cohen Law Group to negotiate the agreement with COMCAST. Borough Manager Jim Gehret said he felt the COMCAST agreement mirrored the Breezeline agreement.
The council also approved expansion of D’Ottavios Italian House. The restaurant will construct a raised deck 36 feet wide by 27 feet deep at the rear of the property. The intent is to provide seating for approximately 40 patrons. It was decided that this expansion would not alter the historic character of the existing building based on the information provided by the Hollidaysburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) and its findings. HARB recommended that Borough Council grant the Certificate of Appropriateness to Paolo D’Ottavio to construct the new deck.
In other business, the draft plan on the update of the Comprehensive Plan from Gannett Fleming will be completed next week. The borough street sweeper is back together and running and will be used as soon as all winter storms are over for clean up. Seasonal workers for the public works garage were approved.
Speeding on Bel Aire Road was asked to be discussed by Mayor Joe Dodson. He would like a signal slowing down traffic by giving the speed of cars passing by. It was decided that this should be put on the school board agenda.
Mark Slonaker from the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Company reported that the company responded to 39 incidents over the past month. Of note were three structure fires, eight vehicle accidents, nine medical accidents, and two brush fires. Phoenix has its spring fund drive underway along with Lenten fish dinners. Donations and fundraising proceeds make up 85 percent of the company’s operating budget.
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