SMETHPORT — Smethport Borough Council agreed Monday with the option of waiting until August to rehabilitate the baseball surface at George Murray Field in Hamlin Lake Park.

In a report to council, Ryan Yingling, chairman of the parks committee, said that due to the continuing bad weather this year, the company selected for the project is still working on projects from last year. “Ours is the first community project on the company’s 2019 list,” he said.

So as not to interfere with the summer baseball league games, it has been decided to grade the field in August and apply new sod in September.

Baseball coaches for the summer leagues were included in discussions with the borough and company representatives and agreed this would be the best option.

In another matter, Yingling noted that The EADS Group in Altoona, an engineering, architectural and design firm, has, on the borough’s behalf, applied for a Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority in the Department of Community and Economic Development for Phase 1 of the Hamlin Lake Park Improvement Project.

At May’s council meeting, Yingling said replacing the deteriorating walk bridge is the first of three priorities, followed by the addition of a handicapped accessible parking lot for the new kayak launch and replacement of restrooms on the Willow Street side of the park.

In another vote, council concurred unanimously to accept the 2019 County Aid allotment of $3,727, which will be used for future paving projects next year.

Council also Okd the bidding of two projects. One is for removal of 65 tree stumps the borough has identified. The other is for the milling of the worst spots of some streets since there is no street paving work slated this year.

After hearing concerns about water entering the basement of the Smethport American Legion due to diversion problems caused by the recent heavy rains, council President Greg Rounsville said the borough will contact the McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a recent survey that could be available from the construction of the authority’s new building in order to show the borough’s property lines.

“We want to try to work something out,” said Bart Barton.

Post Commander Pat Miesowitz also commented on the water problem.

Council met in an executive session for 48 minutes to discuss personnel.

After reconvening in the public session, council adjourned without any further business.