DUBOIS- A second public hearing of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) took place prior to the beginning of the normally scheduled DuBois City Council meeting.
Eugene Zanella explained that the purpose of the hearing was to discuss selected projectsm which will be included in the grant application, and to allow for public comments and questions regarding the proposed use of funds.
One of the areas selected for improvement was fire stations and equipment; funds will go to purchase a new rescue apparatus for the Fourth Ward Fire Department.
The other area selected to receive funds was recreation areas. This includes continued improvements to Shower’s Field, as well as improvements to the restrooms in the DuBois City Park.
Eagle Scout candidate for Troop 27 Jeremy Athelstone also focused attention towards improvement at the park when he presented his Eagle Scout Project to the council.
His project focused on concreting dugouts in the park. He estimated the project would cost $1,132, and that it would take approximately three weeks to complete. He intends to raise the funds through chicken biscuit dinners and donations. He also anticipates friends and volunteers to assist with the project.
City Solicitor Toni Cherry read a draft to amend chapter 27 of the code ordinances of the city of DuBois. The amendment would “…re-classify all uses permitted by special exception throughout the various zoning districts of the city of DuBois to uses permitted as conditional uses.”
Cherry went on to explain that the spirit behind the change is to save time and money for the applicant and the city. The proposed ordinance is currently being advertised at the DuBois City building, and is scheduled to appear in the newspaper within the next few days.
A reading of the draft is anticipated to take place at 6:45 p.m. just prior to the next council meeting.
Closing the meeting was discussion of the Downtown DuBois Fire prevention Block Party, which was held this past Friday. It was considered a success, with council member Edward Walsh mentioning how members of all age groups attended. The annual event featured live music from the band Back Alley, fire truck rides and food venders.
Downtown DuBois will be following up with another outdoor event on West Long Avenue this Saturday. Downtown DuBois invites residents to join street vendors, live musicians and cook-off participants at the DuBois Fall into Autumn Festival.