Bradford City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of a new
ambulance for the city’s fire department.
The city has the Harry Lasky Endowment Fund for the perpetual
replacement of city ambulances and allows for the withdrawal of
investment returns for that purpose, explains a resolution approved
at the council meeting.
Approximately $30,500 was authorized to be withdrawn from the
fund to be used towards the replacement of an ambulance. In
addition, explained Councilman Ross Neidich, who oversees the fire
department, the terms of the fund have been reworked with National
City Bank.
“We’re in good shape for more regular ambulance replacement in
the future,” Neidich told the council.
Following that transaction, council approved the purchase of a
new 2006 Ford E-450 wheeled coach (375) modular ambulance from
Pfund Superior Sales for $80,000. The price includes a trade-in of
one 1998 Chevrolet Modular Ambulance from the city’s fleet.
Also at the meeting, council authorized filing an application
for a $100,000 Growing Greener II grant. The city has received
approval from the McKean County Commissioners under the county’s
Environmental Initiative Program and “has been invited to submit a
formal grant application request to the Pennsylvania Department of
Community and Economic Development.”
The money would be used to acquire property for the
redevelopment of the Elm Street Project area.
Along those lines, Mayor Michele Corignani asked for council to
table a motion to consider approving a sale of a property at 41
Bank St. from the McKean County Repository. The reason is that the
property is in the Elm Street project area.
“I’d like to table this until we can get more information,”
Corignani said. “Bank Street is located in the Elm Street
Neighborhood. We need to find out the intention for that
property.”
She said the city will be making a significant investment in
that area, and should know what the intent is for that property
before approving its sale.
The other council members agreed. Corignani asked City Clerk
John Peterson and Sara Andrews, executive director of the Office of
Economic and Community Development, to inquire about the
property.
In other business, council approved the issuance of a Shooting
Range Permit for test firing of small caliber firearms to Microtech
Small Arms Research at their facility at 300 Chestnut St.
Extension. Council also approved Police Chief Roger Sager or a
representative to act in a supervisory capacity concerning the
equipment, installation and location.
The resolution approved also noted that Microtech Small Arms
Research is federally licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms.
Council also approved a change to the hours and fees for the
city parks. The parks will now be open from sunrise to sunset
except for scheduled events.
Prior to the council meeting, a brief public hearing was held on
the 2007 Community Development Block Grant funds.
The only significant change from the January hearing was that
the planned use for $15,000 for engineering services for the
Kennedy Street bridge replacement was taken out.
Andrews explained that if the project is not put out for bid,
block grant funds cannot be used to pay for it.
“When we go to construction, we will be able to use block grant
funds,” she said, adding that will be a much larger amount – in the
range of $75,000 to $80,000.
Andrews said the money that would have been used for the Kennedy
Street bridge was instead allocated to housing rehabilitation and
demolition.
At the council meeting, the mayor expressed the city’s
appreciation to the Special Police for putting in 3,685.5 volunteer
hours during 2006.
Corignani also reminded city residents that the dedication and
open house of Old City Hall will be held Tuesday.
“The project was done with grant money and federal and state
funds,” she said, adding it was not with taxpayers’ dollars. “For
all those who believe it should have been leveled, I hope to see
you there Tuesday. It stands as a monument to our community.”
Public tours will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
