CLEARFIELD – Engineer Todd Banks of Stiffler, McGraw and Associates Inc. reported to the Clearfield Borough Board at last night’s committee meeting that the Third Street project inspection was completed and there are only a few items to be completed or corrected for the project to be finished.
Banks said the main item remaining is planting of trees that had been put on hold for weather to improve. Some repair work is required from ground shifting after winter, he added.
Banks also had a change order No. 3 from the contractor, Horizon Construction, for an increase in costs of $7264.77, which is due to unanticipated costs for sales tax. He said the contractor would have included the amount into their original quote but did not realize the borough’s sales tax exemption would not apply for electrical equipment.
Banks noted that there is adequate funding in the project grant to cover the expense. The Public Works committee agreed to recommend approval of the change order.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott reported the office has received several phone calls about the tree removal on Front and Second streets in preparation for the downtown Streetscape project. She said many of the trees removed were very old, hollow and dangerous. She noted a recent incident near the old jail of a tree limb falling and damaging a vehicle.
Stott said the Shade Tree Commission put a lot of work into researching what would be the best trees for the streetscape, considering tree height, appeal and more. She reported that 95 trees have been removed from downtown, and 108 will be planted with the project.
Borough Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack reported that demolition of the Daisy Street house destroyed by fire was completed and the property has been restored. He extended his thanks to the property owners who were very cooperative in removing the dangerous structure.
Police Chief Vince McGinnis reported a street light was damaged at Second and Market streets. He noted a stop sign is in place for traffic on Market Street until the light is replaced.
McGinnis advises drivers be alert in driving downtown due to ongoing repairs and construction, and suggests that alternate routes be taken if possible.
McGinnis also reported the department had 524 incident reports for March.
Todd Kling reported that the Street Department has been busy with street-sweeping and repairing potholes. He said the crew is targeting the biggest problems first, and working toward smaller repairs as they can get to them.
Kling also reported that the Spring Clean-up on the West side of the borough is nearly completed and will begin on the East side. He noted that the crew will be continuing to pick up on west side through the clean-up. The clean-up schedule is posted at the Corner Park.
Kling said there are some drainage repairs that will be the next priority for the crew. He said they are doing an inventory of pedestrian crossing lights and upgrading to LED lights as needed.
Kling said that the crew will be doing a spring clean-up of the parks soon, and noted that the boat dock has been installed at Lower Witmer Park for the opening of fishing season.
The Public Safety Committee recommends approval of traffic restrictions for May 16 for the YMCA Triathlon and for Aug. 8 for the YMCA Fair Fun Run, and for closure of Locust Street from Front to Water streets on June 7 from 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. for Family Fun Day at Lower Witmer Park.
The Planning and Community Development Committee recommends the approval of a resolution to apply for $30,000 grant funds from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for Clearfield Revitalization Corp. to continue the Façade Improvement program.