CLEARFIELD – At last night’s meeting, Clearfield Borough Council heard from volunteer firefighter George Proud regarding parking on Cherry Street and from Patty Moyer regarding traffic concerns at the Bridge Street and CVS Pharmacy intersections.
Proud asked for action to remove parking meters on Cherry Street and allow only parking for firefighters. He said when he reported to the Clearfield Fire Department for the fire call Monday on Clearfield Street, he and others wasted time trying to find parking. He said cars parked on Cherry Street also make it difficult for fire equipment to have room to pull out of the station.
Proud noted council had previously talked about changing the parking on Cherry Street but has not taken any action. Borough Manager Leslie Stott suggested a meeting be set up with officials from CNB Bank, the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the fire department and the borough to work out an agreeable solution. She added that the fire department should have priority.
Council had a recommendation from the Public Safety Committee to remove parking meter heads on the corner of Cherry and South Second streets as needed to allow for traffic coming out of the new CNB Bank’s drive-up teller onto Cherry Street. After some discussion, council approved to change the parking on Cherry Street between Front and Second streets as needed.
Approval was also given to pull meter heads on Pine Street between Front St. and Van Valza Avenue.
Patty Moyer asked council to make changes to the intersections on Bridge Street at both Front and Third streets. She said she had contacted PennDOT regarding the new traffic pattern at the Third Street intersection with the new CVS Pharmacy store and was directed to bring her concerns to the borough.
Moyer said many residents feel that the new traffic pattern with the turning lane only for CVS traffic is dangerous and believe it should go back to the original pattern, turning onto U.S. Route 322 East (toward Bigler Avenue), as well as entering the CVS lot.
Engineer Todd Banks noted the intersection of Bridge and Third streets is actually a state intersection and that the borough had nothing to do with the design of the traffic pattern there. He said CVS paid for two traffic studies during the planning of their new store.
Councilman Tim Winters said PennDOT did not consult the borough when the changes were made. Council agreed to have Banks check with PennDOT about the matter, since he will be meeting with them about the streetscape project also.
Banks reported that 30 to 40 people attended the meetings held on March 6 with the property owners involved with the Borough Streetscape project. He said it was a good information exchange, and many of the ideas and suggestions are being incorporated into the plans, which he noted are nearing completion and will be ready to bid soon.
Fire Chief Todd Kling reported that the fire department came close to losing a firefighter at the Clearfield Street fire with the structure’s roof collapse. He said it opened his eyes to the real dangers emergency personnel face.
Kling offered his deep appreciation to the assistance from the civilians who came forward to help at the fire. He also gave praise to the more than 25 firefighters, as well as police officers and others who helped at the scene. Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack said he was present at the fire and commended the firefighters on the job they did.
Council also announced that PennDOT road maintenance will begin street sweeping the week of April 7 in the borough. Stott said the borough street crews will also have the new street sweeper out, and it is a good opportunity for residents to sweep off winter antiskid from sidewalks for sweeper removal.
In other business, council approved:
- · To pass an ordinance to accept a loan from Northwest Savings Bank for $100,000 at an annual interest rate of 2.91 percent for the purchase of a street sweeper.
- The repairs to the hydraulic swivel of the aerial truck through Kaza Fire Equipment at an approximate cost of $14,350.
- · The purchase of two radios to be placed in street equipment at a cost of $990.
The street closures for the Bloom & Berry Bash on June 28 and for Clearfield Fair Parade on July 28.
- · To advertise for lawn care bids.
- · To advertise for spring cleanup.
- · To submit a letter to the state Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) in support of funding for Leonard Street Gardens housing project.
- · The use of Third Street parking lot for “Save the Ritz” Farmer’s Market on May 10 and May 17, June 14, July 12 and July 26, August 9 and August 23, Sept. 13 and Sept. 27 and Oct. 18.
- · To accept the resignation of part-time police officer Ralph Nedza.
- · To accept the resignation of Andy Spencer from the Clearfield Hospital Authority.
- · Resolution 01-2014 listing Stott as chief administrative officer of the Municipal Pension Plan Funding
- · Resolution 02-2014 for disposition of dispensable records from 2005 and 2006.
Council adjourned for executive session to discuss personnel matters, with no action following.