A local resident raised concerns at Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting about the rise in graffiti within the city, and about what that may imply.

Patricia Demjan told council she had read studies that indicate increasing graffiti means “the livability of a particular area is going down the tubes.”

Demjan said she’s heard people say the graffiti may be gang-related and asked council what steps are being taken to eradicate it.

Mayor Michele Corignani said the city police have been arresting people for graffiti. As far as having it cleaned, Corignani said if the graffiti is on private property, there isn’t anything the city can do.

“It doesn’t come off as easily as you’d think,” said Councilman Tom Riel, who heads the parks department. He explained the parks are frequent targets of graffiti, and Director Chip Comilla spends a lot of money and time trying to clean it up.

“Some homeowners are not going to spend the money,” Riel said.

Demjan said she was concerned that the rise in graffiti might mean the beginning of some sort of decline for the community.

Council thanked her for her comments and moved on to other business.

Also at the meeting, council members approved an amendment to the Sixth Ward Tax Incremental Financing project which will allow for the demolition of the former Sixth Ward school soon. A TIF is a temporary change to tax assessment to allow for development in blighted areas.

An apartment complex will be built on the location of the school once it is demolished.

With the amendment included, the plan increases from 13 to 15 years; costs may increase from $596,250 to $2,017,557; and the tax increments generated by the TIF will first be applied to discharge costs of acquiring and demolishing the Sixth Ward school and constructing the apartment complex.

No building construction costs for the apartment complex will be reimbursed.

The amendment is contingent on the city acquiring the Sixth Ward site and transferring it to developer Nick Cummins, according to the resolution passed by the city.

“Let’s hope the county OKs it and we will have the Sixth Ward down,” Councilman Dan Costello said. He added the Bradford Area School Board already approved the TIF. The county commissioners, the last taxing body that needs to approve it, still has to vote on the issue.

In other business, council approved entering a lease agreement with Dr. Francis Bassani, obstetrician/ gynecologist, for the rental of first floor office space at Old City Hall. He will be renting 2,365 square feet.

Council also,

• approved paying $1,050 from the Office of Economic and Community Development for the preparation of appraisals of six properties the city has agreed to purchase from Daniel Frontino for future redevelopment in the city’s Elm Street Neighborhood;

• approved reimbursements of $4,244.06 from Community Development Block Grant funds for the sidewalk replacement program; and

• approved payment of $685.23 to Rustick LLC for expenses relating to the identification of radiation hits contained within city refuse vehicles on June 22. Bradford Regional Medical Center will be billed for the costs, along with city labor costs, according to a resolution passed by council.

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