CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Council unanimously passed a resolution at last night’s meeting that they support North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission’s plans for re-opening a 20-mile segment of railway in Clearfield County.
Timothy Potts, account manager for R.J. Corman – Pennsylvania Railroad Lines (RJCP), spoke to council about plans for re-opening a segment of railway between DuBois and Curwensville that was closed in 1954.
Potts explained the benefits of reactivating this segment of railway, including providing direct local rail access to the Great Lakes and Canada, and more direct access to eastern shipping ports in Norfolk, Va. and Baltimore, Md.
Councilman Tim Winters pointed out that this action will open a “missing link” to main railroad lines that will not only benefit the local coal industry, but also other industries in the area. A prime example Winters gave was ethanol production, which uses trucking as well as railroads to transport corn and ethanol.
Potts noted that shale gas “fracking” depends on sand from the Midwest that is also transported via truck or rail, with rail transport being more practical.
Potts also pointed out that, with the closing of the coal-fired electric generation plant in Shawville, the rail line will give local coal companies direct access to the Homer City power plant, which will continue to be coal-fired.
Potts said rebuilding the vacated line will cost $30 million. He added that Corman is considering transferring the railway to North Central because the commission will have advantages for funding the project.
Fire Chief Todd Kling reported the department’s aerial truck inspection was completed, noting that the inspector gave praise to its “excellent condition.” Kling said this is a testament to the hard work of the department’s volunteers.
Council approved the replacement of a pressure relief intake valve for the fire engine costing $1,335.
Engineer Todd Banks of Stiffler, McGraw and Associates, reported that the Third Street project is completed, except for an electrical issue with the street lights, which he said will be corrected by Christmas Eve.
Council approved Pay Estimate #3 to Horizon Construction for $76,000 for the project. Banks noted that the balance still pending to Horizon is $130,000.
Banks also reported that PennDOT has advertised for bids for the downtown streetscape project and will be opening bids on Jan. 8, 2015.
Operations Manager Leslie Stott reported that demolition will begin soon for the riverfront development project.
Council also approved:
- to advertise for bids for gas and diesel fuel.
- the engineering agreement with Stiffler, McGraw and Associates Inc. for 2015
- to advertise for openings to all borough boards and committees, and encourages participation from residents.
- to keep council meeting times the same for 2015. (Council committees meeting – second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and council meeting – third Thursday at 7 p.m.).
- to adopt the 2015 general funds and liquid fuels budgets as advertised, totaling $2,320,123.05.
Stott reported that Mr. and Mrs. Claus have been busy greeting children at their house in the Corner Park, and will be there at their scheduled times until Dec. 23.