FRACKVILLE — Suggestions are being requested from Frackville residents of what can be done to help improve the look of the borough’s business district.
The request for input was made during Wednesday’s meeting of the Frackville borough council by Councilman Bradley Gotshall, chairman of the council’s Economic Development Committee. The committee was created early this year to mainly address problems of blight and other conditions along Lehigh Avenue, which runs through the borough’s business district. Councilman Charles Berger is the co-chairman.
“In an effort to further the goals and the progress of the Economic Development Committee, I would like to compile a list of projects that Frackville should look to accomplish involving economic development,” Gotshall said in his report.
In order to get input and ideas, Gotshall said forms will be available at the borough hall office and the website, www.frackvillepa.org, in the near future.
“We’ll have the forms for people to fill out and tell us what Frackville ought to do to spruce ourselves up, maybe attract some business, and fix up our business district on Lehigh Avenue,” Gotshall explained. “Look for that in the coming days on our website, on Facebook, and in the borough office. I would like to get a tally of what we need to start with.”
Gotshall added that residents are welcome to become part of the effort.
Councilwoman Karen Domalakes said in the Recreation Committee report that the Sept. 5 dance at the Frackville Elks Lodge 1533 to raise funds for the replacement of the community pool was a great success. Domalakes thanked the Elks, the bands Another Side and Local Tourist, Joe Jordan, the pool committee, and Hillshire and Gordon Foods for providing food.
“I want to thank the community for supporting it because we packed the Elks,” Domalakes said. “There was not a seat left, and that is what people came up and told me. There was plenty of hot dogs and hamburgers. It looks like we’re going to have a profit of $2,180 from the dance, which is not too shabby. It could be called a success.”
The pool committee meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in borough hall.
Domalakes said the next fundraiser will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Friendly’s Restaurant at the Fairlane Village mall. Sponsored by the Frackville Rotary Club, Friendly’s will donate a percentage of all food that is purchased to eat in or take out during those three hours to the pool project. There will also be a bake sale at the restaurant.
Looking to the future, Trick of Treat night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The Halloween parade will be held Oct. 25. Domalakes added the annual Pumpkin Festival will be Oct. 3 in downtown Frackville. The Pumpkin Chunkin’ event will be held Oct. 2 at the Schuylkill Mall.
In the Finance Committee’s treasurer report, council President Ronald Jordan said the borough has in its accounts (general fund and state aid accounts) a total of $584,347.08. Total real estate delinquent taxes are $119,022.93.
In the code enforcement report, Mayor Kim Phillips said borough police officers continue to deal with code issues.
“As you can see, we’re being very faithful about staying on top of all the issues that have been brought to our attention and doing the maximum of what we can possibly do with all these issues,” Phillips said.
Phillips added that the police department does have a Facebook page where people can keep up to date with police activity. She said people can contact her by email at frackvillemayor@gmail.com with questions or concerns for the police department.
“I will take whatever complaint that you have and forward it either to code enforcement, health, the solicitor, and/or the chief of police so that action gets taken,” Phillips said.
In the Street/Sewer Committee report, Councilman William Creasy requested the installation of insulation to the borough garage at $5,067.64. Gotshall seconded and the motion was approved.
Creasy also commended the street employees for the cleanup of Lehigh Avenue of dirt and weeds.
Domalakes made a motion during the Law and Order Committee report to address the need for inspections of certain properties along Lehigh Avenue as per the dangerous building ordinance. Creasy seconded and the motion passed.
Sanitation Committee chairman Gotshall motioned to advertise for bid requests for the 2016 garbage and recycling contract. Bidding would end Oct. 13, with the council to open the bids Oct. 14, which is the next regular council meeting. Gotshall explained that the current contract with Kreitzer Sanitation Inc. was approved for one year. The bid specifications will permit bidding for a second and third years, leaving the option to the borough council to approve a term.
The borough reports show that delinquent garbage fees collected in August totaled $10,542.88.